20 Quinoa Recipes to LOVE!

In essential oil speak, we refer to Frankincense as liquid gold.  In grain speak – quinoa is gold…lol.  Quinoa is a complete protein and has a higher protein level than other grains, although not yet as high as some beans and legumes.  What I love most is how versatile it is!  Just take a look at all the different ways you can use quinoa – in salads, desserts, breads, bars, and more.  The other great thing to note about the recipes below is that you can substitute barley for many of them.  While quinoa does tout a competitive nutrition label, it’s somewhat pricey ($2.50-$3.50 per pound) and some people don’t like the texture. My family loves barley.  In fact, my kids call it rice because the texture is similar and it’s cheap!  Around 80 cents per pound.  Okay okay…this post really is about quinoa.  Take a gander at the 20 recipes below – a few of them my own, but the others from some of my favorite blogs!  I wouldn’t try subbing barley in the baked goods, but it would work in the salads and other dishes!  What will you try first?

1  Zupas Quinoa Salad by Healthy Mom’s Kitchen
2  Vegetarian Quinoa Chili by Two Peas and Their Pod
3  Breakfast Quinoa by Mom’s Kitchen Handbook
4  Summer Quinoa Salad by Super Healthy Kids
5  Kale Salad with Quinoa by Mountain Mama Cooks
6  Quinoa Protein Bars by SkinnyMS
7  Grape and Quinoa Salad by Healthy Mom’s Kitchen
8  Quinoa Fruit Salad by Cheeky Kitchen
9   Yuzu Poppyseed Quinoa Pancakes by Tartine and Apron Strings
10  Quinoa Chicken Friend Rice Recipe by Ingrients, Inc
11 Quookies by Super Healthy Kids
12  Greek Quinoa and Avocado Salad from Recipe.com
13  Black Bean and Quinoa Bowl with Peach Salsa by A Couple Cooks
14  Quinoa Chocolate Cake by Cooking Quinoa
15  Southwest Quinoa Salad By Clean Eating Magazine
16  Quinoa Energy Bars by Cooking Quinoa
17  BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad by Iowa Girl Eats
18  Lemon and Garlic Vegetable Quinoa by Snixy Kitchen
19  Broccoli Quinoa Salad by Eating Well Living Thin
20  Whole Wheat Quinoa Bread from NY Times