Easy Way To Cook Quinoa

Jul 28

Bowl of freshly cooked quinoa.

I love quinoa for its texture and ability to soak up any flavor components you put into it. It is incredibly easy to cook and takes just minutes to prepare. It is a seed from a plant and naturally is gluten free. It acts as a great foundation to a dish such as cauliflower steak and goes great in salads! A great replacement for rice and can also be enjoyed on its own with some chopped veggies and fresh herbs.

Ingredients:

2 c quinoa

1 dried herb stem

1 qt water for cooking

Pinch salt

1 stem fresh tarragon

Tools needed:

Sharp knife

Cutting board

Small stock pot

Stove top

Measuring cup

Fine mesh strainer

Serving dish and spoon

How to make it:

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You can soak the quinoa prior to rinsing to help reduce saponin. This is a bitter coating quinoa has that helps eliminate insects and bird from eating it in the fields. Rinsing the quinoa before cooking it helps get rid of any dirt and any other impurities too. Rinse under the water for 1 minute, or until the water is clear. Bring water up to a boil, season with a good pinch of kosher salt. Place quinoa in salted water along with a dried herb stem. This helps flavor the quinoa while it cooks. Reduce heat to medium, number 5 on the dial on my range and simmer for 5-7 minutes. The quinoa will “split open” when it is ready and will have a slight al dente texture to it.

cooked quinoa in bowl with freshly chopped tarragon

Strain quinoa in fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process. I fold in a few leaves of fresh tarragon that has been roughly chopped. Adding the juice and zest of a lemon or adding a splash of vinegar is a great way to add some flavor.