Quinoa- what is it? How do I cook it?

[porkypig]

And what does it go with? I've heard a few US ladies talking about it so I bought some as I'm on a health kick, but don't really know how to cook it, how to make it tasty and what it goes with ? Any help? X

 

[Dimples81]

It's a lot like semolina . It's very good for u coz of protein content . I've only had it once and boiled it and mixed it into some tinned bean salad. It doesn't have much flavour really so I would use it in the place of rice . Davina mcall has it for breakfast x

 

[Bevziibubble]

I love quinoa I boil it and then leave it to simmer a bit before serving. It hasn't got much of a taste to it as such but it's a nice texture. It's very healthy too, rich in magnesium and iron

 

[porkypig]

Do you add anything to it when you boil it or just water? I'm curious to see what it tastes like. Xx

 

[louandivy]

I usually soak quinoa for about 5 minutes, rinse it and then boil and simmer for 15 minutes I usually make tabbouleh and eat it with falafel, tzatziki and pitta.

 

[Bevziibubble]

I just add water with mine but I guess there are other things you could add to give it more flavour such as salt

 

[louandivy]

You could simmer it in stock instead of water to give it more flavour? Thats what I do with couscous!

 

[maggie_tml]

I just add water to mine while cooking.

It's really good to mix things into it like fruits and veggies:
Dried Cherries/Apricots & Pistachios
Garlic, Tomato, Spinach

 

[amjon]

I've used it pretty much in the place of rice. I make a quinoa and hamburger mix with tomato sauce that is really good. You can also put veggies in it. I usually have to add a bit of salt as it tastes bitter to me if I don't.

 

[Broodypants]

Have a look on the BBC good food website for some recipe ideas, they have lots for quinoa. It's very nice mixed with some pinto beans, coriander and lime as per one of their Mexican recipes.

 

[deafgal]

this has a bunch of recipes you can try: https://www.nourishingmeals.com

 

[Nic1107]

You can cook it in a rice cooker too, but don't pay attention to any recipe sites that say mix it with 2-1 water to quinoa ratio, it'll come out impossibly mushy and lose its shape. Stick to a 1-1 ratio and it should come out nice and fluffy

 

[Sarahkka]

It's hugely versatile! I have had it in every form from toasted puffed cereal to some seriously mouth-watering risotto-like dishes. And it's no empty starchy calories, either! As others have said, it is a very nutritious grain.
My kids love it, too.