Beginner’s guide to boil Quinoa perfectly – Times of India

Quinoa is undeniably one of the healthiest and nutritious sources of plant based protein, which is high in fiber and essential nutrients. However, cooking this simple grain can be a little tricky as getting the perfect texture of quinoa can be tough as over cooking can make it mushy and spoil the nutritional value and undercooking will leave the grains hard and difficult to digest. If you too are trying to switch to a healthy diet and want to add quinoa to your daily diet, then here’s a step-by-step guide to help you boil quinoa like a pro!

How to clean the Quinoa
The first step to cook quinoa begins with thoroughly washing the quinoa to remove its natural coating called saponin, which often gives it a bitter taste.

Next, place the quinoa grains on a sieve or on a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it under cold water for about 1-2 minutes, rubbing the grains gently with your fingers. This will also help remove impurities.

The right measurement
The trick to cook quinoa perfectly each time also depends on the right measurement. For instance, to cook 1 cup of quinoa adding around 2 cups of water will help the quinoa to fluff up and cook properly. Always add a little bit of salt to ensure that the quinoa is well cooked.
How to boil
To cook quinoa in a pan, place a saucepan over high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is hot enough, reduce the flame and add in the quinoa and simmer it for about 15-20 minutes. During this time, the quinoa will absorb the liquid and become tender.

Check the texture
This is probably the toughest thing to decode, when it comes to cooking quinoa. After about 15 minutes of simmer over low flame, check the quinoa texture. The texture of quinoa should be fluffy and each grain should have a visible germ (a little spiral). If the germ is still white, continue cooking for a few more minutes.

Let it rest
Once the quinoa is cooked to your desired consistency, remove the saucepan from the heat. Keep the lid on and let it sit for about 5 minutes. This allows any remaining moisture to be absorbed.
Prep up before eating
After resting, use a fork to fluff the quinoa gently. This will separate the grains and prevent clumping. Quinoa grains are ready to be used for making healthy and hearty delicacies.