How to cook quinoa or quinua
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
4 to 6
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Course
Side Dish
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Cuisine
South American, American, Ecuadorian
How to cook quinoa or quinua
Description
How to cook quinoa or quinua outlines a straightforward method starting with melting oil or butter in a saucepan, then softening minced onion and garlic to build flavor. Next, rinsed quinoa is stirred in to coat each grain with the fat. Water or broth, lightly salted, is added and the mixture is brought to a boil. After reducing the heat, the quinoa simmers covered until the liquid evaporates and the grains are tender.
The final fluffing step with a fork ensures a light, separated texture rather than clumps. The inclusion of sautéed onion and garlic imparts a subtle depth to the otherwise mild grain. This preparation lends itself well to various uses as a warm side dish or as a component within salads, soups, or traditional dishes that call for rice.
A tip sometimes applied is to add a pat of butter at the end to enrich the quinoa with a mellow, creamy finish. Overall, this method yields quinoa that is both fluffy and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of oil or butter
- 2 tablespoon onion minced
- 1 garlic minced, clove
- 1 cup quinoa washed and rinsed or use pre-washed quinoa
- 2 cups water lightly salted; or broth
Instructions
- Melt the butter on medium heat in a saucepan.
- Add the onion and garlic, cook until soft, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the quinoa and stir until the quinoa grains are coated with oil.
- Add the lightly salted water or broth.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for about 15 minutes or until the water has evaporated and quinoa is tender.
- Use a fork to fluff the quinoa and transfer it to a bowl. You can serve it warm, or use it in a variety of dishes from salads to soups, or use it to replace rice in classic dishes like arroz con pollo (chicken rice) or arroz marinero (seafood rice).
Notes
- Rinsing quinoa before cooking removes bitter saponins to improve taste.
- Finishing with a tablespoon of butter adds richness and smooth texture.
- Cooked quinoa can substitute rice in dishes like arroz con pollo or seafood rice.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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