Quinoa is a versatile grain that can be used in various dishes. You can serve it as a side dish, add it to salads, use it as a base for stir-fries, or mix it into soups. Feel free to customize your cooked quinoa with herbs, spices, vegetables, or your favorite seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy your nutritious and delicious quinoa!
©Mariha-kitchen/ via Getty Images
How to Cook Quinoa
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Description
Quinoa is a versatile grain that can be used in various dishes. You can serve it as a side dish, add it to salads, use it as a base for stir-fries, or mix it into soups. Feel free to customize your cooked quinoa with herbs, spices, vegetables, or your favorite seasonings to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy your nutritious and delicious quinoa!
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- Olive oil or butter (optional, for flavor)
Instructions
- Rinse the Quinoa:
- Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer.
- Rinse it thoroughly under cold running water for about a minute. This helps remove any bitter saponins on the quinoa's surface.
- Toast the Quinoa (optional):
- In a dry saucepan, toast the rinsed quinoa over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
- This step is optional but can enhance the nutty flavor of quinoa.
- Cook the Quinoa:
- In a medium-sized saucepan, bring 2 cups of water or vegetable broth to a boil.
- Stir in the toasted or rinsed quinoa.
- Add salt if desired.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked.
- You'll know it's done when you see little spirals (the germ) separating from and curling around the quinoa seeds.
- Let it Rest:
- Once cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Allow the quinoa to sit, covered, for about 5 minutes. This will let it steam and fluff up.
- Fluff and Serve:
- After resting, use a fork to fluff the quinoa gently, separating the grains.
- You can drizzle a bit of olive oil or add a small amount of butter for extra flavor if desired.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Mariha-kitchen/ via Getty Images.