How to cook Quinoa (and what to do with it!)

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How to cook quinoa: a nutty flavor and super fast cooking time make cooking quinoa from scratch a great option for healthy meals!

Around here, we love quinoa – but I remember when it was new to me and all the questions I had.

In this post, I’m going to answer these questions!

• What is quinoa?
• Why should I eat quinoa?
• Is quinoa good for you?
• How to cook quinoa
• Why rinse quinoa?
• Recipes using quinoa

What is quinoa?

Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wa”) is classified a “super food”, and is considered to be a whole grain. It is one of the most popular health foods, due to it being gluten-free, high in protein (and fiber, magnesium, B vitamins, iron potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E).

It has a sweet, nutty flavor and a very distinctive, slightly chewy texture, and is great as a substitute for rice or couscous (4o calories fewer than the same volume of rice).

There are over 100 different varieties – but we tend to stick to the white.

Fun fact: Quinoa is not a grass like wheat or rice – it’s actually related to spinach and amaranth.

Why should I eat quinoa? Is quinoa good for you?

Well, it tastes good. Plus it’s gluten free, and high in protein. And it’s good for you!

One half cup of cooked quinoa – has 4 grams of protein, 2.6 grams of fiber, 140 mg of phosphorus, 159 mg of potassium, 1.4 grams of iron, and 1 mg of zinc.

Quinoa also contains small amounts of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Why rinse quinoa?

Why rinse quinoa?

While most boxed quinoa is already pre-rinsed, I always give it a good rinse anyway.

Rinsing will remove the natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste bitter or soapy. Saponin is a naturally occurring chemical that coats every tiny grain of quinoa – it’s there to ward off insects—but it has a strong, unpleasant taste. Blech!

How to cook quinoa:

1 cup uncooked quinoa needs 1.75 Cups of liquid (the box says 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups liquid – but for me, if you do a 1:2 ratio, you end up with gummy, paste-y quinoa)

Full, printable recipe below – just scroll down to the recipe card!

1. Begin by rinsing the quinoa until the water runs clear.
2. In a small saucepan bring water (or broth, depending on usage) to a boil then add quinoa.
3. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes until all the water is absorbed (Small pockets of air will appear on the surface – see pics below)
4. Remove from heat, and remove lid.
5. Fluff with a fork.
6. Devour.

 

Recipes using quinoa:

• Healthy Quinoa & Black Bean Salad 
• Quinoa Patties with Sriracha Dip
• Fresh Ginger & Orange Scented Quinoa 
• Creamy Chicken Stew with Quinoa (Instant Pot)
• Quinoa Bowls with Turmeric Tahini Sauce (from Lemon Blossoms)
• Quinoa Greek Salad (from Bowl me Over)
• Mango Lime Quinoa Salad (from Bucket List Tummy)

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