This is the best way to cook quinoa if you want fluffy, perfect, and flavorful quinoa. My foolproof method is entirely adaptable to any flavor you’ll like to add. I’m pretty sure you are going to love it.
WHAT IS QUINOA?
Quinoa is an ancient grain that comes from the cultures of the Incas and the Aztecs. Quinoa is the seed of a green leafy vegetable from the family of spinach and chard.
The benefits of eating quinoa are many; quinoa is a complete plant protein; it includes the 9 essential amino acids. It is a super source of the amino acid lysine, which is super powerful in helping us repair and grow the tissue in our body. And it has tons of beneficial minerals for our body.
TYPES OF QUINOA
- Yellow quinoa. This is the best-known quinoa; it is the typical one you see when shopping or in a restaurant.
- Red quinoa. This is the one I used for these photos. The red type maintains its shape more than the other varieties, and I feel it has a nuttier flavor.
- Pink, black, and orange quinoa.
- Sprouted quinoa. Whenever we sprout a grain, seed, or legume, we increase its nutritional value and make it easier to digest. This way, we can take advantage of most of its nutrients.
- Canadian quinoa. This is the latest type on the market. The grain seed is smaller than the normal one, and when it is cooked, it is sticky. It is as cooking sushi rice, when done it’s stickier than the other varieties.
- Note: The method of cooking this Canadian quinoa differs from the one I am using here.
TIP ➡ When you buy grains in bulk, make sure that the container it is in is closed and that there are no traces of moisture. ➡ If you're just starting out with quinoa, buy small packages or buy in small quantities. Try all the different types and brands until you find the one you like best.
HOW TO MAKE QUINOA?
- If you want the quinoa to be fluffy and not lose its shape, use a ratio of 1 cup of quinoa to 1 3/4 cup of liquid. You put it in a covered pot over low heat for 10 minutes.
- By this time the grains should be plumped and the germ, the whitetails, should already be loose in some grains. Turn the heat off. If there is still a little liquid left, cover and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- When there is no liquid in the pot, fluff it up with a fork or spoon.
💡IDEA: Quinoa can be cooked like pasta. Boil a pot of water with plenty of salt. When it is boiling add the quinoa and boil until al dente.
How to eat quinoa?
- Use it as if it were rice.
- Make it like fried rice.
- You can make Chinese lettuce wraps
- Or add a scoop to your vegetable soup or lentil soup
- You can make sushi
- or stuff poblano peppers
- Or as breakfast and prepare it as oatmeal
How to make quinoa?
This is the easiest way to cook quinoa and make it fluffy and delicious. Quinoa is the perfect base for salads, plant based hamburgers or stews.
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1¾ cup water or vegetable broth
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Put the quinoa and the liquid you are using in a pot with a lid. Add the salt.
- Cover and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. By this time the quinoa should be hydrated and the germ should be separated and floating on the surface.
- Try and if it is already soft turn off and let it rest for 5 minutes. If there is liquid left in the pot, the liquid will be absorbed.
- Fluff with a fork.
Video
Notes
Quinoa can have a soapy or bitter taste, it is the saponins that cover it. The trick to remove the flavor is to rinse the quinoa under running water before putting it to cook.
If after letting the whole quinoa rest there is still liquid in the pot, strain it.
If after letting the whole quinoa rest there is still liquid in the pot, strain it.
Nutrition
Calories: 162kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 6gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 559mgPotassium: 239mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 219IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 2mg
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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Soy Ale Graf, Piloncillo&Vainilla es mi espacio donde te comparto mis recetas veganas fáciles y deliciosas que te harán sentir BIEN.
Tengo una Certificación Profesional en la cocina vegana; en el mundo de la cocina basada en vegetales, frutas, granos, leguminosas… en comida limpia, orgánica y vegana.
My cookbook is called Yo Cocino Latino..
Tengo una Certificación Profesional en la cocina vegana; en el mundo de la cocina basada en vegetales, frutas, granos, leguminosas… en comida limpia, orgánica y vegana.
My cookbook is called Yo Cocino Latino..
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