How To Cook With Quinoa

What is quinoa, and why is it so popular?

Quinoa is a seed from the amaranth family that can be a great gluten-free alternative to grains. It has grown in popularity over the past decade as parts of the world have ‘discovered it’ as a nutritious substitute to rice. However, in reality, quinoa has been a staple of South American cooking for over 4000 years! In fact, the UN declared 2013 as the ‘International Year of Quinoa’ recognising Andean people and their practices in maintaining and preserving quinoa. It cited quinoa’s importance in providing food security for future generations, which would not be possible without the knowledge of the Andean people.

It has become a popular food worldwide as it is nutritionally very rich, and if you’re wondering; is quinoa gluten free, you’ll be pleased to know it is. It contains all nine amino acids, which makes it a fantastic source of protein— twice the amount of rice. It is also a great source of fibre, and it contains high levels of vitamin B, vitamin E and minerals calcium, magnesium and manganese. 

It also has quite a distinct flavour profile— it is slightly nutty, fluffy and crunchy, making it a versatile grain to add to salads or replace with rice in curries and stir-fries.

How do I cook quinoa?

Ultimately, cooking quinoa is very similar to cooking rice. Measure out your desired amount and wash it, as many people do with rice. This is because quinoa is naturally coated in saponin, which can make your quinoa taste soapy when cooked, and also can make it bitter. After washing, add your quinoa to the pan with water and cook on your hob with a lid over the pan for the appropriate amount of time, depending on how much quinoa you’re cooking— and don’t try to stir it during the cooking process as it won’t become fluffy. 

Once it is cooked, let it stand for several minutes, so it can soak up any excess liquid. It should then be fluffy and soft, and with a slight crunch, which is exactly what you want.

Vegan meals to make with quinoa

Want to put this new quinoa knowledge into action? Here are two dishes that use quinoa for texturally perfect results:

Golden Sesame Satay

This satay is savoury but has a hint of sweetness from the roasted squash and pickled cabbage. A cashew-based satay sauce compliments the nuttiness of the quinoa perfectly, making it a colourful, exciting and tasty dinner.

Thai Green curry

This veganised classic is creamy, fragrant and warming from the inside out, making it a perfectly decadent but nutritious fakeaway. With a grain mix of quinoa and wild rice, it’s an excellent blend of soft, sweet, nutty and crunchy — and the best thing is that you can have it ready to eat in 30 minutes.