Kitchen

[gabstoomuch]

What time is dinner? It sounds yummy

[kristan]

I don't like quinoa so I wouldn't use it. We don't like too much filler in meatloaf so I usually like finely crushed saltines or panko, just enough to hold it together. I freeform loaves on a baking sheet instead of using loaf pans. Meatloaf sandwiches are my favorite the next day.

[glmama]

I really like quinoa. It's a great protein source--especially for those that don't get a lot from meat products, etc. I like to use it as a base for salads of course, and I find that I tend to use more of it in the summer months with fresh toms, feta, etc. I think you could absolutely sub the quinoa for the oatmeal.

[sidsmom]

It's horribly expensive...why not use cheaper oatmeal for the same effect?

[gloriajean]

We buy quinoa in bulk - it's not horribly expensive, we buy mostly organic foods. Our Oatmeal is organic too. So the reason I'm using it today is because my daughter gave me the idea and I just wanted to try it. That's all.

What I like about quinoa is you can flavor it any way you like. I used beef broth for the water to cook it in. Season it any way you wish, and it's good.

In one recipe using quinoa with meatloaf that I looked up, it had cream of mushroom soup in it. Another idea.

[Demeter]

Thanks for sharing your recipe gloriajean. I'm gonna try the quinoa meatloaf, maybe ketchup in place of tomatoe sauce. Have a good dinner!

[blackhole99]

I thought the egg was the binding agent in meat loaf.

[betteb]

On 2/11/2015 baker said:

I thought the egg was the binding agent in meat loaf.

It is and quinoa is far more nutritious than oatmeal.

Thanks for sharing Gloriajean

[SANNA]

You absolutely can use it, just cookit first. It is very easy, 1 cup of quinoa plus 2 cups of water, bring it to boil, cover, lover the heat and simmer for 15 min. BTW to make a meatloaf juicier fine shred a zucchini into a meat mix. Then add cooked quinoa. I use it very often. When I cook it as a side dish I add spices like for pilaf or any of your liking. Always add olive oil. Sometimes I sautée vegetables( any kind you like) and add them too cooked quinoa, looks pretty and taste great! I love to saute eggplans,colorful sweet peppers,zucchini is,garlic and toss it into quinoa. Sometimes mushrooms with onions. So pretty much anything goes. Very healthy food . Enjoy!

[gloriajean]

It was a HIT!!!!! Daughter was here for supper and loved it!! Said I should remember what I did, to make it exactly like that again!!! Husband loved it too! Said to be sure to make it again. Daughter thought it was more moist - it was good, that's all I'm saying.!! Oh, and I'm going to repeat it just the way I posted it.