Quinoa, a grain with a texture like that of couscous, is sold at natural food stores. Serve this side dish with lime wedges.
If you like, olive oil can be substituted for the butter depending on what you are serving with the pilaf. Soaking the rice overnight in water results in more tender, separate grains. If you'd like to try it, add enough water to cover the rice by 1 inch after the rinsing process in step 1, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it stand at room temperature 8 to 24 hours; reduce the amount of water to cook the rice to 2 cups. For the most evenly cooked rice, use a wide-bottomed saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.
Quinoa is a complete protein containing all eight essential amino acids. It's light and fluffy in texture but has that whole grain ability to fill people up--and if you've got company coming, this recipe easily doubles to serve eight people.
Originally made to accompany Black Bean and Sweet Potato Stew with Chillies and Polenta Triangles.
Sandra sent Whole Foods a recipe for her family's tabbouleh which uses quinoa instead of the traditional bulgur for a gluten-free version. She notes "We are of Lebanese-descent, and my mother found out that she had Celiac Decease about 10 years ago. This tabbouleh recipe is preferred by all of us to the bulgur wheat variety! Pretty strong endorsement from a Lebanese family!" This flavorful salad can stand alone as a vegetarian main dish, thanks to quinoa's protein content, or be served as a side dish or sandwich filling.
Serve as a vegetarian main course or as a side dish with steamed fish or roasted chicken. If you don't have any leftover brown rice on hand, use a package of frozen cooked brown rice as a shortcut.
Serve with pita wedges, in pita pockets, or as part of a mezze platter.
Spoon cooked barley into soups or stews or use it to make hot breakfast cereals and grain salads.
Coarse-ground degerminated cornmeal such as yellow grits (with grains the size of couscous) works best in this recipe. Avoid instant and quick-cooking products, as well as whole-grain, stone-ground, and regular cornmeal. Do not omit the baking soda—it reduces the cooking time and makes for a creamier polenta. The polenta should do little more than release wisps of steam. If it bubbles or sputters even slightly after the first 10 minutes, the heat is too high and you may need a flame tamer, available at most kitchen supply stores.