How to cook quinoa
flickr: smohundro
- Wash the seeds in cold, running water to remove any residue.
- To cook, add one part quinoa to a saucepan, with two parts liquid.
- Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer covered.
- One cup of quinoa normally takes 15 minutes to prepare.
- You’ll know it’s ready when the grains become translucent, and the white germ has partially detached itself.
Here are some tips for using quinoa
#1 Eat as breakfast porridge — just add nuts and fruit when cooked.
#2 Add quinoa to your favourite soups, stir-fry or casseroles.
#3 Combine cooked, chilled quinoa with chickpeas, roasted red pepper, scallions and coriander.
#4 Use sprouted quinoa in salads and sandwiches — similar to alfalfa sprouts.
#5 Ground quinoa flour can be added to cookie or muffin recipes.
#6 If you’re after a wheat-free option, make a tabouli salad using quinoa (rather than bulgar wheat).
Do you eat quinoa? What are your tips for adding it to a healthy diet?
Note: I’ve got a bunch of articles dealing with foods and nutrients that aren’t well understood. Check out What are Legumes or What is Chicory, or What is Magnesium as a few examples.
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{ 90 comments… read them below or add one }
Love Quinoa! I often eat it as a pre-workout snack in the morning. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive.
.-= Tory´s last blog ..4 Tips To A Flatter Stomach =-.
Yes, it’s so expensive here in the UK too. At least you only need a little each time, however I also wish it was less expensive.
I still have never tried quinoa. I really should!
.-= Blake´s last blog ..Healthy Monday – Forget Technology =-.
Yes, you should!!
When I get back from holidays I’m going to experiment with a few different recipes. Perhaps I’ll post them here if they’re any good.
I love Quinoa, too!
It’s definitely important to rinse it before cooking — not only does it remove any extra residue (as you point out), but it also keeps it from being bitter once cooked.
Hi Andrew,
Yes, you’re right. The bitter taste would definitely put people off if they hadn’t tried quinoa before.
I love quinoa & is essential as I am gluten free. However I HATE trying to wash it, I always do but find I loose 25% down the drain! any tips on washing quinoa? what am I doing wrong??
thanks & I love the posts!
Hi Bethany,
Do you have a large sieve, that you would use to sieve flour for baking?
Rinse it through a wire screen
wash it thru a coffee filter
I haven’t tried this yet but I have been hearing all the rage about it! But one thing I have been searching for is something that is rich in antioxidants to keep me healthy and keep a healthy glow of my skin. So many antioxidant rich foods are unbearable to eat, but I will have to check this one out!
Just had a very delicious salad with lots of quionoa:
spinach
red onion
carrots
curried chicken
finally chopped mango
orange citrus dressing
and of course, LOTS of yummy sprouted quinoa
Try it, it’s delicious and the crunchy texture of the quinoa is FUN!
YUM… sounds delish, MS. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, just Quinoa for the first time and thought it was very good, my husband thought it was too dry. I cooked it and added sauteed red pepper, onion, celery & carrots, mixed that together with salt to taste, then threw in some sliced almonds and a dash of oregano. Excellent meatless meal. Think I’ll try serving it for breakfast with honey and milk, could also add fruit. My husband would probably like it better that way. But I think I could like it any way.
Hi Glenna,
I’m so glad, sounds really delicious! I love how versatile quinoa is.. good work! I hope you can get your hubby converted over, too!!!
Hi. I’m on a low carb food plan (I binge on white rice, bread, bagels, etc.) but I love rice, so I’m going to try Quinoa. What are your thoughts?
Shalisha
CEO
Dog Training Breeds
Hi shalisha,
That’s definitely a good idea. Quinoa is a slow-releasing carbohydrate, so an excellent choice to help avoid bingeing. It also tastes very similar to rice, so it should be a good substitute for you. Have you tried it yet? I’d love to hear how you get on.
I have been eating quinoa for lunch with Solid white Tuna and steamed broccoli seasoned with pepper to taste. Yummy and filling.
Catherine,
That sounds wonderful. I might give it a go myself!
I have tried quinoa and I really like it.
I use it as a side dish instead of rice and also when I make meatloaf I use it instead of breadcrumbs.
There are many really good recipes utilizing quinoa in many was.
It is a good and healthy alternative to rice, potatoes or any wheat based dish.
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your ideas. I hadn’t thought of using quinoa instead of breadcrumbs. Thanks for that!
I almost refused to try quinoa because I got a bit grumpy about it’s pretentious sounding pronounciation – what’s wrong with saying kwin-noah? I was the same with acai – I called it the Scottish berry, ‘cos I insisted that it be pronounced ack-eye.
But, I’m glad I did try it.
I cheat by using a rice cooker.
Favourite so far, is cook with an onion and a stock cube and add some coriander and lemon juice near the end of the cooking time.
I added some quinoa to chickpea and chorizo soup the other day and it realy was one of the best meals that I have ever tasted.
Washing it is a pain as, unlike rice, some of the stuff floats – you can get away with partial drainage and not lose too much down the sink, or just clutter up your draining board with a slow drying sieve.
Melanie – this is a great website – thankyou!
Hi Ian,
That’s a good idea to cool it in the rice cooker, I’m going to try that too. Thanks
I am disappointed in my first taste of quinoa. It smells (uncooked) like a new country straw hat smells and tastes like that, as well and I was so diappointed. It said, on the box, that it was prewashed, so I didn’t rinse it. I will rinse it anyway, if I try it again. I was going to cook it in chicken broth, but forgot and used water instead. I was hoping it was going to taste nutty, not musty like it did.
Vivian,
Yes, I have to admit, I do know what you mean. Personally, I feel it is something that needs to have “things” added to it. I would be interested in hearing from you if you do try it again with the chicken broth
I’ve started using quinoa instead of cereal. For a quick snack, I mix a little olive oil, with dashes of balsamic and rice vinegars. Add chopped lettuces, and tuna. May sound odd, but with or without the tuna, I find this delicious and satisfying.
Doug
I love quinoa, buy the boxed kind in the grocery, doesn’t need rinsing, use it often but just about a fourth cup at a time, put it in soups mainly.
Glenna,
Putting it into soup is a good idea. Thanks for sharing.
hi,
if you buy quinoa that is already pre-washed, i believe it’s better to still soak it for a few minutes and then continue to rinse well in running water.
although it is impossible to totally remove the bitter taste in quinoa, i use other tasty ingredients with it like tomatoes and green leafy veggies so there’s a lot of flavors your taste buds can enjoy. : )
.-= Tina´s last blog ..Buy Quinoa =-.
Hi Tina,
I’ll try this next time I prepare quinoa. I didn’t the first time and it tasted like straw hats smell, like dried grass. Not good. I’ll also cook it with chicken broth, not plain water. The tomatoes sound good.
What kind of leafy green vegetables would be good?
Thanks so much,
Vivian
Hi Tina,
Thanks for your advice. Good suggestions, also.
Hello Vivian,
Try the following recipe:
cook 1 1/2 c quinoa in 2 3/4 c stock and 1/4 c of lemon juice for about 15 mins. while that’s cooking, prepare dressing. blend 1/4 c lemon juice, a bit of lemon zest, 3/4 c basil leaves, 1/4 c parsley leaves and a bit of thyme leaves. slowly drizzle 1 c of olive oil while blending the dressing mixture. once emulsified, you can pour the dressing over cooked quinoa, mix well and voila! quinoa has never tasted better. i hope you’ll get to enjoy it too! happy healthy eating. : )
.-= Tina´s last blog ..Buy Quinoa =-.
Tina,
Just saw your recipe. Thank you, I will also give this a go – did you mean 1 cup of olive oil? That seems a lot…
I recently tried Quinoa for the first time. OMG, it’s freaking delicious. I normally cook it in Vegetable Broth so to give it a little more taste. Today I added cut up grape tomatoes, chopped cilantro, chopped black olives and feta and drizzled in some canola oil. Added powdered onion and garlic to taste. It was phenomenal!
I love your idea… might give that a go myself
I had the same issue as Vivian, with the musty smell and taste. I served a very flavorful veggie soup made with chicken stock over the quinoa and could still taste the mustiness.
You said that rinsing and soaking will help a bitter taste – but I don’t think that’s what’s bothering me. I can only describe it as musty. Could it be that the grains I have have gone bad?
I tried it with water and garlic butter, it was great.
I like that idea, Yvonne. I will give that a go, thanks.
Since my mother was raised in Peru, my Mommy makes me quinoa all the time! And it is really cheap for us. My mom gets quinoa really cheap in latin markets since most food is really cheap there, though; try finding one locally! But since quinoa is an export, grocery stores they probably inflated the price on it. We get it for 425 grams (15 ounces) for $4.
My mom has a traditional recipe i want to share with you all. I, myself, enjoy it immensely!
1.) first, you cook the grain like you would rice in a pot of 2 cups of water on medium for lowering the temperature to low when it reaches a boil for 20 to 30 minutes.
2.) Then, you mince onions separately into extremely thin bits (or chop into big pieces if you like onions).
3.) Cook your onions in olive oil on medium and add 2 teaspoons of panca pepper paste* (if you like spice, though, add 2 tablespoons instead) in the pot (not frying pan) along with the onions. Mix all your ingredients so far really well.
4.)Pour in evaporate milk to your onion and panca pepper paste mixture.
5.)Pour in your quinoa into the milk mixture and mix until creamy. While it is still hot, add in shredded mozzarella cheese.
6.) after the cheese has mostly melted, serve it on a plate and voila.
*panca pepper paste is a Peruvian pepper that adds a sweet but slightly spicy zest of flavor. It is really great enhancement to dishes because of it’s sharp intensity. (and it’s great if you can’t handle spicey food which I can’t!)
I have been eating quinoa ever since I was a little girl as was my mom and I never thought it had such great nutritional value! Thanks for the information and hope you enjoy the recipe.
xoxo Michelle
Hi Michelle,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your recipe. I would like to give this a go. I imagine this would be good with lots of different vegetables added to it as well, like mushrooms, and courgettes. Thanks again for sharing.
I just made a quinoa tabouli salad for a potluck and got rave reviews! I cooked the quinoa and let it cool, then added diced cucumber, tomatoes, green onions, and a little olive oil and salt and pepper. It was delicious! Topped some of it with a little zatar, which was also great. My vegan friends loved it too!
I just bought some quinoa today! Thinking about having it with some spinach and salsa and corn in a whole wheat wrap tomorrow for lunch : ).Or…maybe having it for breakfast. I am contemplating that delicious spinach smoothie with protein powder though. hmmmm
I just bought some Quinoa today and made a salad. I did rinse it and left it cool slightly. Added cherry tomatoes, chopped celery, shallots, cucumber diced, sun-dried tomatoes, sliced almonds, Fat free feta, and some mandarin oranges. Also cut up some fresh basil, parsley, and mint. I mixed up a dressing with Lemon white balsamic, fresh lemon juice with some grated lemon rind, some plain olive oil with a dash of blood orange olive oil. Added about 1 tsp of Penzey’s French Vinegatte spice.
Really enjoyed it. Planning to take it to work for lunch. I have quite a bit of the plain quinoa left over, so I am sure I will find something to do with that. Enjoy Everyone.
Hi Arlene,
That sounds wonderful, you have inspired me to get some Quinoa again, it’s been a while since I had some.
Actually I was searching what Quinoa is because I just bought Trader Joe’s Organic Whole Grain Drink, it has Quinoa as one of the ingredient. Seems like Quinoa is really beneficial.
I just finished having my first helping of Quinoa (in the form of Yucatan Style Quinoa Salad) from a place in Asheville, NC called GreenLife. I loved it.
Thanks for the article. It always seems to make food taste better when you know how good it is for you.
lol Christian. I wish everyone thought like you. Some are of the opinion it tastes worse if it is “healthy.”
We’ve been eating quinoa in my home for years for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Last week I added chopped onion, garlic, red pepper, scallions, sliced mushrooms, & chopped yellow squash to boiling low-fat chicken broth – then added quinoa. Covered and cooked about 15 minutes, then added chopped cilantro, lime juice, shrimp and scallops – covered and cooked for 8-10 minutes longer…..delicious!!! I love using fresh ginger & Asian chili sauce with it, too!
Wow, these recipes for quinoa are wonderful guys, I need to start trying these out
cooked Quinoa is super good with strawberries, oranges, bananas , mango and walnuts
Just tried Quinoa for the first time this past weekend. Fabulous it was. If I can find a place to buy it at a more reasonalbe price then I can see it becoming a part of my regular diet. I used a recipe I got from work. Sauteed some yellow onion and fresh garlic in a small amount of Canola oil. Added water and Quinoa, cooked til done. Chill. Add chopped tomatoes, carrots, yellow pepper, cucumber, red onion (I omit as I don’t care for raw onion) frozen corn (thawed), fresh mint, fresh cilantro, black pepper. Dress with a small amount of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and voila, it was awesome!! Question for you Melanie. Does Quinoa have enough protein in it to replace the protein you would normally eat for dinner, per serving?
Just had my first try with Quinoa. I’m from Louisiana, so I did a play on shrimp and grits. I cooked a cup of Quinoa in chicken broth with a dash of hot sauce, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper and chipotle pepper. I then sauteed onion, green bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic in a little bit of olive oil, salt and pepper. Once the vegetables were softened, I added them to the Quinoa with a little bit of milk, salmon (from the Chicken of the Sea pouch) and just a dash of low fat cheese (I couldn’t resist) . It turned out delicious! What a great alternative to a normally high fat, high carb meal!
Thanks for sharing your recipes everyone.
Hi Melanie.
I am 10 days into the ‘Dukan Diet’ and recommended to take Oat bran. I have just heard of Quinoa and have read all your recent comments, can I take it as part of the diet or possible instead of oatbran.
Hi Lizzy,
I can’t say for sure as I’m not an expert on the Dukan Diet. If you compare them quinoa has more calories, but also more protein than oat bran, so it should be very satisfying. I can’t see any problem with adding it to your diet regularly. Is there a Dukan Diet forum where you could ask for help on this?
I love quinoa. I cook it with taco seasoning add tomato, onion, black beans, cilantro and avacado. A very healthy taco salad.
Lovely, thanks Tracy.
Cooked quinoa for the first time last night; with onions, garlic and dried rosemary while simmering…delish!!!
Great Tanya, I have all of those ingredients in my kitchen at present, might give that a go
I have been eating quinoa for breakfast with cut up fruits like bluberries, banana, strawberries,and peaches since I heard about it.
next, I will be eating it with sauteed veggies.
Recently I found a quinoa bread, and quinoa flour to use in baking ,and red quinoa .
I cook a whole cup of white and red quinoa mixed together
with 2 cups of water following directions on the box.
This gives me enough quinoa for many days or a week, depending how much you use
love sharing all your ideas.
Great idea to be prepared for a few days ahead, Phyllis. I haven’t tried red quinoa? What’s the difference in taste?
Where can I find quinoa sprouts?
I don’t want to blow my own trumpet but I have a great recipe for quinoa fish cakes. I make them with Mackril and they really are very good! have a look at:
http://www.thedailycalorie.com/2/post/2011/06/quinoa-is-king.html
lol Nicola. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
I made a butternut squash and quinoa “pie” tonight for dinner! Delish!! It could have been healthier by not adding parmesan cheese but I could not resist. The basics of the recipe are as follows: Roast approx 1 1/2 lbs butternut squash. Once finished cut into cubes. While roasting saute 1 large onion, 2-4 cloves garlic, fresh sage and fresh thyme 3-5 minutes add 1 cup quinoa 2 cups water and a veggie broth cube. Cook 15-20 minutes until broth is evaporated. Mix quinoa mixture with 1/2c parm. cheese and cubed butternut squash mix thoroughly leaving squash somewhat chunky. In glass pie pan or 8 x 8, grease pan slightly and lay fresh sage down, fill pan with quinoa and squash mixture, bake for 20 minutes let cool for 5. Flip the pan over onto a plate and slice.. Yum Yum Yum! Would be great even without the cheese.
Sounds amazing, Katy. I will definitely try this out. Thank you.
I tried it today for the first time. It is easy to cook. It does have a pleasant taste. It tastes like cuscus. bulgor, or cracked wheat. I think i can use it as a substitute for rice and can eat with a lot of Arabic Middle Eastern foods.
Yes, absolutely. It is a very good alternative.
Hi, I just bought quinoa for the first time as trying to loose weight. I have seen two different types, one that looks like balls, then there is one that looks like ‘oats’. I got the balls one. I cant wait to try some of your recipes here. Very excited…I must admit Im not a huge fan of brown rice. So will be interesting, hope hubby and I like it.
Hope you enjoy Caz
I have been happily hoarding and eating quinoa, thinking it was the perfect food, the manna from heaven, when to my dismay I found out it has high oxalates content. See for instance:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=48
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814605004826
Now I am at a loss. Is the high fibre content sufficient to offset the effects of its oxalates payload? Perhaps the best policy would be to cycle it on and off, but I would like to listen to the insight of others who have long experience with quinoa.
Hi Ray,
You will see from that article you linked to on WH Foods, that lots of healthy foods contain oxalates, notably some fruits and vegetables. However, unless you have a condition such as absorptive hypercalciuria type II, enteric hyperoxaluria, and primary hyperoxaluria, for the vast majority of people oxalate-containing foods are not a health concern. You only need to be concerned about this if your doctor has put you on an oxalate-restricted diet.
I just received some Organic Quinoa I ordered from NUTSonline, and realized, dah, what is this stuff? It sounded healthy when I saw it on the site. So I
Googled, what is it, and this site was made available. Wow, thanks
for all the great info from everyone, of course you all were talking about it before I arrived. Now I’m going to try it! Love being Healthy!
Best wishes, Brenda. Hope you enjoy it
Once you make quinoa how is the best way to store and for how long. thankyou
Hi Gale,
I recommend refrigerating leftover quinoa, or any other grains, in a tightly sealed storage container soon after cooking, and only storing for up to 2 days in this way. If you want to store for longer, freezing is best.
Try this, brew ordinary tea and make it REAL strong way stronger than if you’d be drinking it to enjoy it.
Then mix together 2 cups of Quinoa (1 cup of White & 1 cup of Red Quinoa). BTW, Red Quinoa is so much tastier but real nice when mixed together for extra texture and color.
Cook the Quinoa in 4 cups of the strong tea broth which in turn will really enhance the anti-oxidant properties but here’s the catch, it does not taste bitter at all!
You then prepare anything you want with this GREAT SUPERFOOD…..Enjoy
Wow… that’s a great idea, Paul. Does it taste of tea at all?
….Melanie, Quinoa made in a strong tea “broth” does not at all have the taste of tea.
Now try this incredible dinner meal….
For super health, buy a jar of “CERTIFIED ORGANIC VIRGIN COCONUT OIL”. (Pure cold pressed organic coconut oil can ONLY be bought in a Health Food store like Whole Foods or such).
Prepare this entree using a wok or skillet by heating a tablespoon of this Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil:
- Sautee two cloves of crushed garlic with fresh prawns adding a tiny splash of Sarachi for some heat(optional).
1. Crush a “raw” garlic clove….yes RAW….for super antioxidant properties!
2. Toss this raw garlic in a serving of hot Quinoa with a tablespoon of the same Certified Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and finish to taste with soy sauce…incredible flavors!
3. Steam broccoli and finish off with freshly squeezed lemon juice (no butter!)
Serve a bed of flavored Coconut Garlic Quinoa topped with saucy Prawns surrounded with Steamed Lemon Broccoli.
Unbelievably HEALTHY with out of this world flavor…ENJOY!
Paul
Thanks so much Paul, I am definitely trying this idea
iv reallly gotten into quina over the last few yrs ,, as a piscatarian its a great source of added complete protein in my meals ,, I like to hav it either tabulli style w avacadoe , tomatoe , purple onion splash of olive oil , lemon jiuce and sum cilantro or parsley : ) delicious ,, also i like to hav it hot w a lil olive oil and braggs soy sauce : )
Yum!
I’m just really not a fan of oatmeal, so several mornings a week I alternate breakfast with a mix of quinoa:
1 cup quinoa
1 full banana sliced up
1 handful of almonds or some other nut
1/2 cup almond milk
sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg
I sometimes change up the fruit and nuts that go into it. Its so yummy, healthy, energizing, and keeps me full till lunch!!
Thanks for sharing your recipe, Kevin.
I am from the middle east and would like to know what quinoa is in Arabic!! Can anyone help?. Thx
there is no name that i know of Quinoa. it tastes like Maftool (cuscus). it tasted good to me.
Hi Melanie,
One of the great things about quinoa is that is it so versatile.
When I have a craving for meixcan food, I lay a bed of quinoa, add beans on top, saute jalapenos & onions layered on top of beans and if I am in the mood, a cut up grilled chicken breast and to top it all off a little grated cheddar cheese. You won’t even miss the taco or tortilla.
It’s healty, filling and delicious! No need to feel guilty.
That sounds wonderful Valerie.
One of my favorite quinoa recipes: Cooked quinoa (recipe calls for 1 cup cooked) Mix in a bowl-3 lg. celery, 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 3-4 radishes-thinly sliced, 1/2 cup red onion sliced thin, 1/4 cup fresh dill, 1 cup crumpled feta cheese. In a small bowl whisk 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, and 1/4 cup olive oil. Pour over salad; Fold in cheese mixture; salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with dill
Robin, that sounds amazing. Thanks so much for sharing.
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