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Random cravings. I get them all the time. Could be due to the fact that I’m pregnant, but in fact, I go through these weird phases where I’ll eat the same thing for a month straight. Does that ever happen to you? Just this past month I’ve been obsessed with all things made with buffalo sauce. Plus honeycrisp apples, blueberry bagels with jalapeno cream cheese, kale smoothies, veggies burgers, pineapple, greek yogurt with strawberries, and of course, my favorite little grain: quinoa! What is quinoa?While quinoa looks and behaves like a grain, it’s actually a seed that comes from a flowering plant! It has been used in South American cooking for thousands of years and more recently became a “superfood” here in the U.S. Different types of quinoa
Taste & texture
Health benefits of quinoaNot only is quinoa delicious & versatile, but it’s also filled with a range of amazing health benefits!
Another thing that’s wonderful? Quinoa cooks in only 15 minutes, which makes it perfect to store in the fridge and add to your weeknight dinner menu or toss in your lunch. Of course, making sure you know how to properly cook quinoa will make your meals that much better. How to cook quinoaStep 1: rinse your quinoaYou’re probably wondering why we rinse the quinoa first. Quinoa can be pretty bitter if you do not properly rinse it before you cook it because it has a natural coating of a substance called saponin that prevents birds from eating it. To rinse this off, simply place 1 cup quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse it a few times under cool water. Step 2: use the right cooking liquid & ratioStart with a 1:2 ratio: one part quinoa, two parts water or other cooking liquid (chicken broth, milk, etc). I use 1 cup quinoa and 2 cups of liquid, which will make about 3 cups of cooked quinoa. If you want you can double that to make a larger batch. Using different liquids brings a bigger flavor dimension to the quinoa, but water is great too:
Step 3: cook the quinoaIf you’ve ever wondered how long to cook quinoa, I’ve got the exact timing and tip for you! Here’s how to do it:
Step 4: fluff the quinoa with a forkThe quinoa will pop upon cooking and expand. To help separate the grains, use a fork and fluff the quinoa. Add in fruit, nuts, milk, spices, or whatever your heart desires, or serve it in one of these great recipes below. How to store cooked quinoaLet the quinoa cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Then simply store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. Can you freeze cooked quinoa?Actually, yes! To freeze it simply let it cool completely and then place it in airtight, freezer-friendly bags or containers. To reheat it you’ll let it thaw in the refrigerator or at room temp before microwaving it. Delicious ways to use quinoaOnce you’ve learned how to make perfect quinoa, it’s time to creative adding it to amazing recipes. Not only is quinoa delicious in tons of different salads, sides and even pancakes, it’s also super tasty on its own with a bit of olive oil, salt & pepper or even some parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. YUM. Here are more recipes to try: Looking for more? Get all of our best quinoa recipes here! I hope you love this easy, step-by-step tutorial on how to cook quinoa! If you try this method be sure to leave a comment & a rating so I know how it turned out. Enjoy, xo!
To store: Let the quinoa cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Then simply store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. To freeze: simply let it cool completely and then place it in airtight, freezer-friendly bags or containers. To reheat it you'll let it thaw in the refrigerator or at room temp before microwaving it.
Serving size: 0.75 cups cooked quinoa
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
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