Snookums, quinoa is a grain. Granted a grain with high protein which makes it more valuable in some lifestyles compared to others. I think it's neither bad nor good. As far as carbs go, it's on the healthier side, but it can make blood sugars rise too fast in those who have issues with moderate glycemic foods. Maybe that is why you woke up starving? As for the quinoa tasting bland... I never toast it, but then I never toasted rice or couscous either. I'm just not that patient :) however I always toast my spices and then cook my dishes. I think it really pays off in my quinoa dishes which are just studded with all the spices. I also tend to layer my spices, for example we might do a black bean mango quinoa salad... So I flavor the black beans with cumin chili powder, I toss the chopped veggies with lime juice, and I season the quino with toasted Mexican oregano, smoked paprika, coriander and cumin, and a smidgen of tomato paste. Then I top with avocado and and a bit of fresh mango pico. If you are not supersensitive to moderate glycemic foods then give the quinoa another try. Green goos take a while to master. You'll find your perfect recipe in time. It took me forever to get a good ration of chia seeds in ours.

I clipped this recipe off the internet a couple of weeks ago. It was from the best of the LA times. I was intrigued because I thought the lime would add a neat depth of flavor and cut some of the sweetness. I know, I know.... it may not be "authentic", but it sounded good!! :) Also like the minimal amount of cream of coconut and the use of the fresh pineapple instead of just juice. I know it isn't virgin, but I wonder how it would be if you left out the rum? 1987: Coconut Daiquiris This recipe appeared in an article in The Times by Marian Burros. The drink came from David Margolis, a friend of Mayor Ed KochÂs. 1/2 very ripe pineapple, cut into chunks Juice of 1 lime 2 tablespoons Coco Lopez cream of coconut 71/2 ounces Bacardi light rum 20 ice cubes. Combine the ingredients in a blender and whiz until smooth. Serve immediately without garnishes. Makes about 5 daiquiris.

Okay... So I mentioned my problems with appetizers... Same deal with first courses. You're going to have to forgive me -- what I'm posting bears a little resemblance to a salad, but I wanted to post something T&T, and I also think given that the meal is heavy overall, this is a nice light starter. Zucchini Carpaccio 2-4 small to medium sized zukes (depending on how many people you want to serve) Small container of whole milk ricotta 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted One bunch fresh mint 1-2 lemons fresh ground pepper, coarse salt extra virgin olive oil With a vegetable peeler, peel zukes into many ribbons, peeling the long way. Arrange artfully onto small plates. Add small dollops of fresh ricotta on top. Chiffonade the mint, and sprinkle liberally over top. Add lots of fresh ground black pepper and coarse salt, then squeeze fresh lemon juice on top and drizzle with good extra virgin olive oil. Finish with a healthy sprinkling of the toasted pine nuts. Emily

I've been collecting them lately, here are some you can try. I had more but accidentally deleted them :^( Zucchini with Lemony Crumbs Serves 4 Active time: 20 minutes Start to finish: 40 minutes 2 lb zucchini, coarsely grated 3/4 stick unsalted butter, divided 1 1/2 cups coarse breadcrumbs (from day old baguette) 1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest 1 tsp chopped thyme 2 garlic cloves, minced Toss zucchini with 3/4 tsp salt in a colander set over a bowl and let drain 20 minutes. Squeeze handfuls of zucchini in a kitchen towel to remove excess moisture. Melt 3 Tbsp butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, then cook breadcrumbs, zest, thyme and 1/8 tsp salt, stirring until crumbs are golden, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and wipe out skillet, then cook garlic in remaining 3 Tbsp butter over medium-high heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add zucchini and sauté until softened slightly, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve zucchini topped with breadcrumbs. Grilled Zucchini Pepper Salad Serves 4 Active time: 20 minutes Start to finish: 1 hour 1 1/2 lb zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/4" thick slices 2 red bell peppers, quartered 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 2 tsp packed light brown sugar 2 Tbsp chopped basil Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas) or heat a 2-burner grill pan over medium heat until hot. Toss vegetables with 2 Tbsp oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Grill, turning occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes total. If using grill pan, grill in batches, 10 to 15 minutes per batch. Transfer peppers to a bowl and let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Peel peppers and cut into 1-inch pieces. Cut zucchini crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Whisk together vinegar, brown sugar, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper and remaining 2 Tbsp oil in a large bowl. Stir in vegetables and basil. Let stand 15 minutes for flavors to blend. Zucchini Lime Slushee Makes 4 drinks Active time: 10 minutes Start to finish: 10 minutes 2 medium zucchini, chopped 1/2 cup superfine granulated sugar 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 3 cups ice cubes zucchini slices for garnish Purée zucchini with sugar, lime juice, and 1/8 tsp salt in a blender. Add ice and blend until ice is finely crushed. Serve in 10-oz glasses. Zucchini Whoopie Pies Makes 12 (dessert) Active time: 30 minutes Start to finish: 1 hour FOR CAKES: 2 cups coarsely grated zucchini (10 ounces) 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup well-shaken buttermilk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 stick unsalted butter, softened 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 large egg 1 cup walnuts (4 ounces), chopped FOR FILLING: 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Scant 1/2 teaspoon salt MAKE CAKES: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F with racks in upper and lower thirds. Butter 2 large baking sheets. 2. Squeeze handfuls of zucchini wrapped in a kitchen towel to remove moisture. 3. Whisk together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt until combined. Whisk together buttermilk and vanilla in a small bowl 4. Beat together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add egg and beat until combined well. 5. At low speed, mix in flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture and mixing until smooth. Mix in zucchini and walnuts until just incorporated. 6. Spoon 1/4 mounds of batter 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake, switching positions of sheets halfway through, until tops are puffed and golden and spring back when touched,18 to 22 minutes. Transfer with a spatula to a rack to cool completely. MAKE FILLING: 1. Beat together cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and salt with cleaned beaters at medium-high speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. ASSEMBLE PIES: 1. Spread a rounded 2 Tbsp filling on flat sides of half of cakes and top with remaining cakes. Note: Whoopie pies keep, chilled in an airtight container, 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving. ZUCCHINI BROWNIES TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 35 min. + cooling: 1 cup butter, softened 1\-1/2 cups sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup plain yogurt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2\-1/2 cups all\-purpose flour 1/4 cup baking cocoa 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups shredded zucchini FROSTING: 2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in yogurt and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in zucchini. Pour into a greased 13\-in. x 9\-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 35\-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. For frosting, in a small saucepan, combine chocolate chips and peanut butter. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth. Spread over warm brownies. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Yield: about 1\-1/2 dozen. http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Zucchini-Brownies?pmcode=SL981VH05M&_mid=236200&_rid=236200.220100.28120 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Zucchini Bread 3 eggs 3/4 C vegetable oil 2 C sugar 2 tsp vanilla 2 C shredded zucchini (1 \- 2 good size ones) 1 \- 8\-oz can crushed pineapple, drained 3 C all\-purpose flour 2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp nutmeg 1 C chopped nuts 1 C raisins Mix first 6 ingredients together. Sift together flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, baking powder, and nutmeg (if youre using nutmeg). Add remaining ingredients. Mix all together. Baking options: Pour into two 4? X 8? well\-greased loaf pans and bake at 350 for an hour. Or Pour into four to six well greased mini loaf pans and bake at 350 for about thirty minutes, or until centers are no longer soft.