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How to Cook Perfect Fluffy Quinoa Every Time

VG By: Veronica Grace

Author Bio

Veronica Grace is a self-taught “chef” and food enthusiast who focuses on promoting a low fat... Read More

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Quinoa

How to Cook Perfect Fluffy Quinoa Every Time

6 cups

Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wa) is a delicious, low-fat superfood grain (actually a pseudo cereal, it is not a grass like wheat is) that comes from South America and is closely related to beets, spinach, and tumbleweeds, believe it or not! This is also why it is gluten-free. Quinoa is not related... Read More

Ingredients You Need for How to Cook Perfect Fluffy Quinoa Every Time

1 1/2 cups dry quinoa (white or red quinoa)
1 1/2 cups water or vegetable broth (low sodium or homemade)
1 tsp of salt or Herbamare (if desired)
fresh ground pepper to taste (if desired)
2-3 tbsp lemon juice or other seasonings like parsley flakes *optional

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How to Prepare How to Cook Perfect Fluffy Quinoa Every Time

For the Stove Top

Soak quinoa in a large bowl for 15 minutes in cool water.
Using a fine mesh strainer, drain and rinse your quinoa until the water is clear and it’s not foamy anymore. About a minute or two and then dump it into a pot.
Combine rinsed quinoa and water (use a 1:1 ratio) in a pot. Add seasonings. Turn on to medium heat.
When the quinoa is simmering, cover it, reduce it to low heat and cook for 30-35 minutes.
When all the water is absorbed remove the pot from heat. Let sit covered for 5 minutes to finish steaming.
Fluff with a fork before serving.
Serve and refrigerate any leftovers for another dish or to sprinkle on salads.

For the Rice Cooker

Soak quinoa for 15 minutes in cool water.
Using a fine mesh strainer, drain and rinse your quinoa until the water is clear and it’s not foamy. About a minute or two.
Combine rinsed quinoa and water (use a 1:1 ratio) in rice cooker. Add seasonings if desired.
Set to white rice setting and cook.
When the cooking cycle is complete, let it steam for 5-10 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
Serve with your favorite entree or vegetables.

Notes

For black quinoa, I found that it was a little crunchy. So I would recommend using 1.25:1 ratio of water to black quinoa. 1 1/4 cups water for 1 cup of quinoa so it’s moister and softer. Red quinoa has a much more rich flavor and is more moist and chewier. I think red is a little stickier so I wouldn't use it for salads. I think white quinoa would still be the best if you want a tabouli or cold quinoa salad as the grains are individual.