How To Cook Quinoa In Rice Cooker

Cooking quinoa in a rice cooker is simple and convenient.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get perfect quinoa every time:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water or broth (for extra flavor)
• Optional: a pinch of salt, a tablespoon of olive oil or butter for added flavor

Instructions:

1. Rinse the Quinoa:
   • Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it thoroughly under cold water. This helps remove the natural coating called saponin, which can make the quinoa taste bitter.
2. Add Ingredients to the Rice Cooker:
   • Transfer the rinsed quinoa to the rice cooker.
   • Add 2 cups of water or broth for every cup of quinoa. If desired, add a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of olive oil or butter for extra flavor.
3. Start the Rice Cooker:
   • Close the lid of the rice cooker and set it to the “white rice” setting or “cook” setting. If your rice cooker has a quinoa setting, use that.
4. Cook the Quinoa:
   • Let the rice cooker run through its cycle. It will typically take about 15-20 minutes for the quinoa to cook, depending on your rice cooker model.
5. Let it Sit:
   • Once the rice cooker finishes cooking, let the quinoa sit for an additional 5-10 minutes with the lid closed. This allows any remaining liquid to absorb and the quinoa to fluff up.
6. Fluff and Serve:
   • Open the rice cooker and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Serve as desired.

Tips:

• Adjust the Liquid: If you prefer your quinoa a bit more al dente, you can reduce the liquid slightly, using 1.75 cups of water or broth for every cup of quinoa.
• Add-ins: You can add other ingredients such as chopped vegetables, herbs, or spices to the quinoa before cooking to enhance the flavor.
• Storage: Cooked quinoa can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Flavor Variations:

• Herb Quinoa: Add chopped fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or basil after cooking.
• Spiced Quinoa: Add spices like cumin, turmeric, or curry powder to the quinoa before cooking for a flavorful twist.
• Vegetable Quinoa: Stir in cooked vegetables such as peas, carrots, or bell peppers after cooking for a nutritious addition.

Cooking quinoa in a rice cooker is a hassle-free method that produces fluffy and perfectly cooked quinoa with minimal effort.

Enjoy your quinoa as a side dish, in salads, or as a base for various recipes.