How to: Make Quinoa

If you do not already know what Quinoa is then you are probably not cool enough to read this blog. JK. But really, you should know what it is and how to cook it. I have found that most people do not know exactly how to cook it though, and I am going to give you a simple trick to make it not taste like sawdust.

Mmmmmm doesn't that look good? Yes, yes it does.

Ready for it?? Cook the quinoa in chicken stock, NOT water. It will change your life (if you life already includes cooking quinoa in water). For those veggies out there (shout out to my roomie), you can use vegetable stock. But don't ask me how that tastes because I'm not weird like that. Also, always use a 2:1 liquid:quinoa ratio.

A little more about quinoa: it contains a ton of amino acids so that means it's a source of complete protein. It's also a good source of dietary fiber, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. It is gluten-free for all of you celiacs (and fake ones) out there.

I will now share with you my favorite quinoa recipe.

Quinoa with peas

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup chopped onion (I hate onions so I've never added these but go ahead if you want!)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (I use dry)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

 Directions: 

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the quinoa, and cook 2 minutes until toasted. Pour in the chicken broth, onion, garlic, thyme, and black pepper. Cover, and let come to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the frozen peas. Recover, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue simmering until the quinoa is tender and has absorbed the chicken stock, 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Stir in half of the Romano cheese and the parsley until evenly mixed. Scoop the quinoa into a serving dish, and sprinkle with the remaining Romano cheese to serve.

After making this a dozen times, I have realized you can really add absolutely anything to quinoa and it will taste good. Try zucchini, squash, tomatoes and feta -- that ones good too! I have even made quinoa fried rice.

happycooking,

Germ