How To Cook Quinoa Correctly

Discover the Secret to Perfectly Cooked Quinoa! Quinoa has gained immense popularity in recent years due to its numerous health benefits and versatility in cooking. However, many people struggle to cook quinoa properly, resulting in a mushy or undercooked texture. Today, I'm excited to share with you my foolproof method for cooking quinoa to perfection. Elevate your quinoa game with this expert technique, and impress your family and friends with your newfound culinary skills!

How To Cook Quinoa Correctly

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: French
Keyword: quinoa, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 55kcal
Cost: $3
Discover the Secret to Perfectly Cooked Quinoa!
Print Recipe

Equipment

  • 1 Sautoir
  • 1 Rubber spatula
  • 1 Sieve
  • 1 Bowl

Ingredients

  • 250 g Quinoa
  • 250 g Veggie or chicken stock
  • 2 g Grey salt
  • 15 g Olive oil or butter
  • 30 g Persillade Recipe

Instructions

What’s Up With All the Different Quinoa Colors?

  • The three main types of quinoa—white, black, and red—each have distinct textures, flavors, and uses in cooking, despite being nutritionally similar.
    White Quinoa: The most common and mildest in flavor, white quinoa has a fluffy texture when cooked and is softer than red or black quinoa. It's great for recipes where you want a neutral taste, like in salads or as a side.
    Red Quinoa: Known for its nutty flavor and chewy texture, red quinoa holds its shape better than white, making it perfect for salads and cold dishes where you want more texture and a vibrant color.
    Black Quinoa: Black quinoa is earthier and slightly sweeter than white or red, with a firm texture even after cooking. Some people don’t like black quinoa as it has a more fibrous – or even sandy – texture.
    Rainbow Quinoa: is a packaged blend of different colors of quinoa – usually white, red, and black.  It’s also called tri-color quinoa or quinoa blend. It is my favorite. In France, I like to use the so called ''Quinoa Croquant'' from Equator.

Is Quinoa Gluten Free?

  • Yes. Quinoa is naturally gluten-free.

What Is The Trick To Cooking Quinoa?

  • When it comes to cooking quinoa, getting the water to grain ratio just right is essential. Some recipes and packaging recommendations suggest a high 2:1 water to grain ratio. From my experience as a chef, I have found that the perfect balance for cooking quinoa is using 1 to 1. This ratio allows the quinoa to cook to perfection without becoming mushy.

Washing Quinoa Before Cooking

  • To start, begin by soaking the quinoa in cold water. This simple step helps to remove any bitterness and ensures a fluffier texture once cooked. After soaking, be sure to drain and rinse the quinoa thoroughly to eliminate the soapy saponins that coat the grains.
    washing-off-quinoa

Toasting Quinoa

  • Now, here comes the game-changing tip: toast the quinoa in olive oil before adding any liquid. This technique, similar to toasting rice when making risotto, helps to enhance the nutty flavor of the quinoa and gives it a delightful crunch.
    toasting quinoa

Cooking Quinoa

  • Once the quinoa is nicely toasted, it's time to add hot stock. Allow the quinoa to simmer in the stock for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. After the initial cooking time, cover the pot with a lid, turn off the heat, and let the quinoa rest for an additional 5 minutes. This crucial step allows the quinoa to steam and absorb any remaining liquid, resulting in perfectly fluffy grains with a slight bite.
    cooking quinoa
  • Season quinoa with persillade, a drizzle of olive oil or butter.
  • One delicious way to enjoy hot quinoa is by pairing it with a flavorful sauce or velouté, such as a creamy pumpkin velouté. Quinoa makes wonderful and healthy salads too! quinoa salad. Bon appétit!
    quinoa served with pumpkin velouté

Storage

  • Cooked quinoa can be kept refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 50g | Calories: 55kcal

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