I’m actually a fan of the pasta method for cooking most grains — tossing them into a pot of boiling water and tasting occasionally until they’re chewy and tender (no measuring or ratio necessary). But one of the tell-tale signs quinoa is done is when the tiny spiral (the germ) separates and curls around the seed.
What is quinoa?
The first mistake people make is thinking that quinoa is a grain. It’s actually the seed of a grain-like crop closely related to beets. Even though this isn’t a “cooking tip,” you should always know what you’re eating!
While I was reading we ran into the question “What is quinoa and what does it taste like?”.
Quinoa is such a fantastic salad base—it’s full of protein, it adds a nutty flavor, and it’s the perfect vehicle to soak up any kind of dressing. If you like a little more heat, add more cayenne or curry to the dressing. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta My cousin is a strict vegetarian, so creating satisfying veggie dishes is my yearly challenge.
What happens when quinoa is cooked in steam?
This step is crucial to the cooking process, because the quinoa finishes cooking in the steam inside the pot, and any last bits of moisture will evaporate — resulting in tender, dry quinoa and not a mushy mess. Now that you’re an expert, get your quinoa cooking on with these five staff-favorite recipes.
Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. Not Draining Before You Dress It Quinoa holds lots of water, so you have to make sure you drain it thoroughly after it’s cooked.
How do you cook quinoa so it’s not mushy?
Nobody likes mushy quinoa! Here’s the way to do it: Combine 1 cup (rinsed!) quinoa with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes.