4 Steps for Cooking Perfect Quinoa Every Time
Determine How Much Quinoa You Will Need
First you will want to determine how much quinoa you want to end up with. Quinoa increases 4 times in size when cooked. So, if you want to end up with 4 cups of cooked quinoa, you will measure out 1 cup of dry quinoa to be cooked. If you want 2 cups of cooked quinoa, measure out 1/2 cup of dry quinoa etc.
To cook quinoa, you use a 2:1 ratio, or you would use two cups of water for every 1 cup of dry quinoa.
*While there are other methods of cooking quinoa, for example in a rice cooker, this lesson will cover cooking quinoa on the stovetop.
Rinse the Quinoa
Next, you will want to rinse the quinoa to remove any residue from the seed that could cause a bitter taste to your cooked quinoa. This task has already been performed in some boxed quinoas, but you may want to repeat the process if you are unsure.
Pour the uncooked quinoa into a fine mesh strainer. Rinse with running water for two to three minutes, agitating the seeds with your hands to remove any residue.
If you don't have a mesh strainer, you can place the quinoa in a large bowl or water for several minutes, and then change the water and repeat to assure that the quinoa is well-rinsed. Be sure to agitate with your hands during this process to remove any residue.
Next, place the water and quinoa (remember your 2:1 ratio!) in a medium-sized saucepan. Turn the heat up to high, and bring the water and quinoa to a boil. Once it has reached a full boil, turn the heat down to medium, place the lid on the saucepan, and simmer the quinoa for 15 minutes, or until all of the water is absorbed.
Once the quinoa has finished cooking, fluff it with a fork. You are now ready to use your quinoa! You may enjoy it in salads, as a breakfast cereal, or in recipes where you would usually use rice such as stuffed peppers.
If you do not plan to use all of the quinoa that you cooked, it can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for three days.
First you will want to determine how much quinoa you want to end up with. Quinoa increases 4 times in size when cooked. So, if you want to end up with 4 cups of cooked quinoa, you will measure out 1 cup of dry quinoa to be cooked. If you want 2 cups of cooked quinoa, measure out 1/2 cup of dry quinoa etc.
To cook quinoa, you use a 2:1 ratio, or you would use two cups of water for every 1 cup of dry quinoa.
*While there are other methods of cooking quinoa, for example in a rice cooker, this lesson will cover cooking quinoa on the stovetop.
Rinse the Quinoa
Next, you will want to rinse the quinoa to remove any residue from the seed that could cause a bitter taste to your cooked quinoa. This task has already been performed in some boxed quinoas, but you may want to repeat the process if you are unsure.
Pour the uncooked quinoa into a fine mesh strainer. Rinse with running water for two to three minutes, agitating the seeds with your hands to remove any residue.
If you don't have a mesh strainer, you can place the quinoa in a large bowl or water for several minutes, and then change the water and repeat to assure that the quinoa is well-rinsed. Be sure to agitate with your hands during this process to remove any residue.
Next, place the water and quinoa (remember your 2:1 ratio!) in a medium-sized saucepan. Turn the heat up to high, and bring the water and quinoa to a boil. Once it has reached a full boil, turn the heat down to medium, place the lid on the saucepan, and simmer the quinoa for 15 minutes, or until all of the water is absorbed.
Once the quinoa has finished cooking, fluff it with a fork. You are now ready to use your quinoa! You may enjoy it in salads, as a breakfast cereal, or in recipes where you would usually use rice such as stuffed peppers.
If you do not plan to use all of the quinoa that you cooked, it can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for three days.
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