Quinoa 101: Your Guide to Cooking this Supergrain
Cooking quinoa is quite straightforward and similar to cooking rice. Here's a simple method to prepare quinoa:
Rinse the Quinoa: Quinoa has a natural coating called saponin that can make it taste bitter. To remove this, rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer. Rinse until the water runs clear.
Combine Quinoa and Water: Transfer the rinsed quinoa to a pot. Add water. The general ratio is 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of quinoa.
Bring to a Boil: Place the pot on the stove over high heat. Bring the water to a boil.
Reduce Heat and Simmer: Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer. It should take about 15 minutes for the quinoa to absorb all the water and become tender.
Let it Rest: After the quinoa is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for about 5 minutes. This allows the moisture to evenly distribute throughout the quinoa.
Fluff and Serve: After the quinoa has rested, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains. Now it's ready to serve!
Quinoa is a versatile grain that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads and side dishes to main courses. Enjoy experimenting with it in your cooking!
