Do you enjoy quinoa? Our family has been experimenting with quinoa during the past year. Even though quinoa is considered to be a whole grain, it’s actually a seed. It was a staple for thousands of years in the Andes region of South America, one of the only crops that the Incas could grow in their region. Quinoa is the only whole grain that is also a complete protein. Best of all, it’s a wonderful convenience food that can be used just like rice. Quinoa actually cooks faster than rice …takes only 10-15 minutes! Just use one cup of quinoa and two cups of water or broth…be sure to rinse the quinoa first. Add a little salt if you wish, cover and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed. Want to know more about quinoa? This is a great article with all the the details you’ll need.
I was talking to a friend yesterday who is on a restricted diet which keeps her from eating meat. She was telling me that she can’t afford to buy the small packages of quinoa that she finds in the stores. I told her about the huge bags of Bob’s Red Mill Quinoa that I find at Costco. A 4 lb. bag of organic quinoa will last a long time and is much more affordable than the tiny packages. Bob’s Red Mill Quinoa is certified organic too. The instructions on the bag recommend refrigerating or freezing the quinoa to keep it fresh.
Yesterday I was experimenting with quinoa again and came up with this delicious stuffing for avocado. When the quinoa was just done but still very warm, I added 1/4 cup of Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes with Italian Basil (julienne-cut), and one chopped shallot. After the mixture cooled, I stirred in one 8 oz. container of lump crab meat, which was on sale at Von’s last week. You can season it any way you like, but I added just a dash of salt and pepper and some Gourmet Garden chunky garlic.
My husband had already eaten lunch, but wanted to try the Crab and Quinoa Salad, so I put his on top of some fresh greens.
California avocados are at peak season right now. The jumbo avocados like we enjoy on the ranch are rarely found in stores, but you can order some direct through CaliforniaAvocadosDirect.com. Look for the Big and Tall Avocado Gift Box! Now is the time to enjoy these beauties!

May 20, 2012 at 10:58 am
Stuffed avocados are my new favorite thing! This one looks great! I also buy bulk bags of quinoa at Sprouts. You can get as little or as much as you want
Betsy recently posted..The Great List 05.18.2012
May 20, 2012 at 11:03 am
Thanks for the quinoa tip! I’ll let my friend know too! Loved your stuffed avocado post. We mentioned it several times on our Avocado Adventure Day …everyone wants to try it!
May 20, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Those stuffed avo’s look great!
Boy are you right about your large avocados! I can’t find any the size of yours in the store. And yours, of course, were BEYOND perfect. Top quality, they ripened perfectly on the counter. We have been enjoying them for a week!
Dorothy at Shockinglydelicious recently posted..Introducing Loquats
May 20, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Thanks, Dorothy! Glad you are enjoying the avocados…and those weren’t the jumbos either!
May 21, 2012 at 8:46 am
Fantastic recipe and why shouldn’t you have it for breakfast 😉 Loving this avocadao time!!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious recently posted..Key Lime Bars…
May 21, 2012 at 9:57 am
Gerry, thanks for stopping by! Yep, I put chopped avocado and that crab/quinoa salad into a bowl just as if it was cereal! Yum.
May 26, 2012 at 11:00 pm
Yum! This looks so tasty! I just love finding new recipes for avocado here!
shawn @ I Wash…You Dry recently posted..101 Memorial Day Recipes
May 27, 2012 at 7:50 am
Thanks for coming by, Shawn!