How to Cook Quinoa

You Can either read the instruction below or watch the video on the right side.

What is quinoa?

Quinoa is not widespread in kitchens nowadays, its proteins rich in amino acid seeds that are feathery, soft, somewhat crunchy texture and is a little more like nuts when prepared. It can be found in your favorite native food stores all through the year.

Although mostly classified under grains, it is correlated to leafy green vegetables like Swiss chard and spinach. It is a revived early ‘grain’ which was once believed to be ‘the gold of Incas’.

Advantages of quinoa

It is easy to prepare, cooks just the same way rice does and is tasty when taken without any food combinations. When cooked, it is like couscous, though much more nourishing, substantial and wholesome.

It is a good accompaniment with many foods such as veggie pilaf, potato dishes, salad and even peppery vegetarian stews.

It contains a high nutrition and protein contents which is perfect for lacto-vegetarians and vegetarians.

Constituents

• A cup of quinoa
• 1 ½ cups of cold water
• ½ a tablespoon of salt

Cooking instructions

A cup of dried quinoa produces three cups when prepared. Quantify the amount that you will need to use then put it in a fine-mesh strainer. Then carefully and completely rinse it with cool water then drain it. Soak it for at least fifteen to thirty minutes as this process eliminates saponin, its natural coating. Failing to do this makes its taste soapy and bitter. Boxed ones are always pre-rinsed, but a second rinsing at home should be done. If there is inadequate soaking time, hot water would do-it is even better because it takes a shorter period of time-five minutes, two rinses should be subsequently done after this.

1. Using your hands, stir carefully and get rid of the water you used for rinsing, with the aid of a sieve.
2. Place it in a cooking pot and add more water. Rinse again and again until the water comes out clean.
3. Empty the water present in the quinoa using a sieve.
4. Put it in the pot then put in water and salt.
5. Boil it by covering the pot with a firm lid. Reduce the heat to allow for simmering.
6. Let it cook for approximately twenty minutes.
7. Turn the heat off and let the lid remain closed for five minutes.
8. Tenderly fluff it using a fork and serve. It can be served alone or with other dishes though on its own, it makes a tasty meal. You can put in butter, pepper, salt or olive oil. When cooked, it can be incorporated in breakfast porridges, pilafs, salads among other types of food.