The better way to cook quinoa

By Bailey1_

Ingredients

• Boil half a cup to a cup of quinoa in a generous amount of water (4 to 6 cups) until it is done. Strain the water, rinse the cooked quinoa, and enjoy.
• I also try to soak my quinoa prior to cooking it (since soaking aids in digestion).

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from allergyfreealaska.com

Preparation

Step 1

For the longest time I had a really hard time eating quinoa.  The smell of it would bother me and the taste of it would make me nauseous, if not sick.

The suggested way to cook quinoa, is to rinse it, then cook it like you would rice: simmer quinoa in water until it absorbs all the water; fluff with fork.

Have you seen the water once quinoa has simmered for a while?  It looks like pee (sorry, but it does) and smells awful (at least to me, anyways), if not rancid.

Boil half a cup to a cup of quinoa in a generous amount of water (4 to 6 cups) until it is done.  Strain the water, rinse the cooked quinoa, and enjoy.

I also cook it in a combo of broth and water with herbs and a touch of butter. I use about 1/4 cup more liquid than the 1:2 ratio. It makes a huge difference cooking it this way. Very yummy. Sometimes I'll use a little Turmeric that has been sauteed with a green or onion or leeks with it. It is very versatile. Many ways to cook it. I like it though. Hadn't noticed a smell before.

Something else to note – always rinse your quinoa well. It contains saponins (i.e. SOAP!), and if not well rinsed, makes the quinoa very bitter.

Heather Chupp

I only buy pre-washed Organic Quinoa, because it has less debris than others. The Archer Farms brand from Target had SAND in it! Before I cook the Quinoa though, I roast it in a little olive oil, it deepens the flavor and gives a nutty aroma. Also to enhance the flavor, I boil the Quinoa for 20 minutes in organic broth. My favorite seasoning to add is garlic powder, Yum!

We cook quinoa in kindergarten weekly and we’ve only ever used a rice cooker to make it…it always turns out really good. I believe we do add extra water though so it’s not too dry. This sounds like a great way to try it too!