toasting quinoa?!

j99li

Hi everyone!

I really want to try quinoa but I'm not really sure how to cook it. I know that lots of people are saying you can cook it just like how you would cook rice, but then I have seen some people say they "toast" it before cooking....

how do you toast it? What does that mean? After you toast it, can you still put it in a rice cooker like usual?

Thanks!

rm7161

Hi everyone!

I really want to try quinoa but I'm not really sure how to cook it. I know that lots of people are saying you can cook it just like how you would cook rice, but then I have seen some people say they "toast" it before cooking....

how do you toast it? What does that mean? After you toast it, can you still put it in a rice cooker like usual?

Thanks!

Saute it in a bit of oil of your preference (even nonstick cooking spray works) before cooking. Gets rid of the slightly soapy taste and brings out the nutty flavors.

rm7161

also, you can do this with brown rice (or any whole grain rice... red and black are also quite nom), and it makes it tastier

It might pop on you like little popcorns if you do it too long though :P It's ok, however... they still cook up fine.

j99li

Do I have to cook it with oil/cooking spray or can I just heat it up over a non-stick pan? And will it still cook like normal after?

vamari22

I usually just boil the quinoa in some chicken or vegetable broth, the same way I would rice, and love it. I don't get any kind of soapy taste. Will definitely need to try it toasted, though.

j99li

also, you can do this with brown rice (or any whole grain rice... red and black are also quite nom), and it makes it tastier

It might pop on you like little popcorns if you do it too long though :P It's ok, however... they still cook up fine.

I am very excited to try it this weekend!

rm7161

Do I have to cook it with oil/cooking spray or can I just heat it up over a non-stick pan? And will it still cook like normal after?

Yes you can use a nonstick pan instead. It will still cook normally I don't have a nonstick pan hence I use a little (teeny tiny) bit of oil.

Quinoa does have a soapy taste, they even warn you about it to wash it thoroughly so it is reduced. Some people notice it more than others, though. I notice it if it is not toasted. I love things like cilantro but not too wild about that in quinoa, so I toast.

FredDoyle

It needs to be rinsed because the plant contains saponins which will cause dietary distress in most people.

rm7161

It needs to be rinsed because the plant contains saponins which will cause dietary distress in most people.

saponins ... the source of the soapy taste

But it doesn't get rid of it completely for me. Some folks are more sensitive to the taste of that sort of thing.

albertine58

I rinse it + put it in the rice cooker. Easy peasy. 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water, works perfectly every time!
I also usually throw in 1/2 of an organic veggie boullion cube for extra flavor (or you can use broth). Red quinoa is my favorite