Four Alternative Ways To Cook Quinoa Faster And More Taste

How do you cook quinoa? Try these four methods to make it tastier and speed up preparation times: in a pan, in the oven or in the microwave, you will be surprised by the result. Quinoa is a portion of food well known by celiacs for its high protein content and the total absence of gluten. It is a pseudocereal that contains all the necessary amino acids and, therefore, noble proteins, but not everyone appreciates its flavor or texture. Quinoa is usually cooked like rice or pasta, pouring it into boiling water, but it is possible to speed up the times and increase the taste with other types of cooking.

Cooking Quinoa In A Pan

To cook quinoa on the stove, the cooking time is about 15 minutes, however, don’t just boil it, but follow these simple steps to cook it suitable.

1. First, wash the quinoa for a long time under running water. In this way, the saponins, harmless but a little bitter substance, will be eliminated.
2. Now you have to toast the pseudocereal in a pan with a drizzle of oil, the same method you use with rice grains to prepare risotto.
3. Then add the liquid, which can be water or broth, to your liking, but remember to get twice as much as quinoa. Usually, the portion is 1 part of quinoa (for example, 100 g) for two pieces of liquid (therefore, about 200 g).
4. When the liquid is absorbed, the quinoa will be ready. Add salt and pepper before serving it at the table.

This procedure is suitable for both white and black or red quinoa. The only difference is in the more robust flavor of the last two.

Microwave The Quinoa

Excellent results can also be obtained by cooking quinoa in the microwave. But remember to cook one portion at a time, avoiding making messes in your appliance. Get a large container with a microwave-safe lid to prevent the quinoa from escaping with the cooking water.

1. The first step is to put the washed quinoa in the bowl with double its water weight.
2. Close with the lid and cook for 3 minutes at maximum power.
3. Extract, wait a minute, mix and repeat.
4. When you begin to see the quinoa sticks, you will know that it is ready. Alternatively, repeat cooking for another minute, adding a little water.

Use gloves to protect your hands, and do not put your face near the container. Otherwise, you can burn yourself with the steam.

Bake The Quinoa In The Oven

This method takes much longer and has several additional steps than the previous ones, so it’s not recommended if you’re in a hurry. But you can be creative, adding ingredients as you like.

1. First, rinse the quinoa and let it boil in water for a few minutes.
2. Drain it, place it in a baking dish, add a drizzle of water, and cook it with aluminium foil for 20 minutes at about 170 ° C.
3. Remove the aluminum foil, season to your liking and brown for another 10 minutes.

Steam The Quinoa

Finally, if you have a steamer, you can try the latter method.

1. Wash the quinoa and place it in the pot basket suitable for steam cooking (or the bamboo steamer). Line the bottom with parchment paper to avoid dropping the small grains.
2. Fill the bottom of the pot with water and as soon as it starts to boil, lower the heat and add the perforated basket with the quinoa.
3. Cook for 20 minutes, then season as you like.

Two Final Tips

1. To make the overcooked and almost creamy quinoa, change the portion to 1 part of quinoa and three amounts of water. It will be ready when the water is completely absorbed.
2. You can use the same preparation of legumes if you have more time available: instead of washing the quinoa under running water, leave it in water for 12/24 hours. Then wash it one last time and, once in the pan, add enough water to cover it completely. Cook over low heat for about 5-10 minutes.

ALSO READ: THE FOUR QUINOA- BASED RECIPES