Quinoa

[Mangetout]

I'm late to the table on this foodstuff. Had it for the 1st time at a restaurant a couple of weeks ago as part of a delicious starter. I'm trying to recreate the dish at home, and hence need to prepare the quinoa. I bought locally grown red quinoa and it says to put it in boiling water at a ratio of 1:10. I presume I cook it until the water evaporates, then what? Rinse? Add butter or oil?

[Lori]

I find that the quinoa I buy (various colors) does not need a lot of water. I don't know what 1:10 means (sorry). I tend to put a touch of oil in a pot and slightly brown about a cup or so of the quinoa then just barely cover it with water. Bring to boil, cover and turn heat down to let it cook for about 20 minutes or so (that can vary also). You can then eat it as it is, add some butter or top it with a protein.

I also will chop some shallots, place them in a touch of olive oil in a pot, and then add the quinoa (all uncooked), then cook in the same manner as above. Adds lots of flavor.

I also make a variety of quinoa type salads. Cook the quinoa, let it cool, then add some chopped red onion, bell peppers, carrots, chopped tomato and any spices you might like (garlic powder, dried oregano or basil - whatever you feel like). I serve that on a bed of chopped lettuce. We like it.

[Char]

1 cup quinoa to 1 3/4 cup of liquid, put all into a saucepan with a tight fitting lid, bring to the boil and simmer for 15 to 20 mins all the water should be absorbed, you need to keep an eye on it during the latter stage so it doesn't dry out to much and stick to the bottom of the saucepan. No need to rinse afterwards.

When I do it for myself I use 1/4 cup of quinoa and 1/2 - 3/4 cup of liquid.

[Blaze]

I used the amount recommended on the packet and found it far too much for two ! It's wonderful hot with vegetables (like a veggie couscous) or cold with salady bits mixed in.