Posted by kittylove on Jul 17, 2007 · Member since May 2007 · 19 posts
I made quinoa in my rice cooker today and it's okay but kind of mushy. Did I leave it in there too long or is it supposed to be that way?
Posted by lotus42 on Jul 17, 2007 · Member since Mar 2007 · 3081 posts
I am in love with quinoa!! :-* I discovered it about a month ago, and now I crave it! Anyway, to me, it sounds like you may have cooked it a little too long or maybe on too high temp. I usually put the rinsed quinoa in the pot with 2x water, let it boil for a few minutes (2-3) then turn it down to low and cover for about 15 minutes. It is usually "fluffy." I don't know how rice cookers work....so I'm probably not much help :(
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Posted by hespedal on Jul 17, 2007 · Member since Mar 2006 · 5259 posts
i have never tied quinoa in a rice cooker but i would guess you used too much water and left it in there too long, because it isn't a mushy grain. it is really easy on the stove!
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Posted by propinecone on Jul 17, 2007 · Member since May 2007 · 2842 posts
i made some last night for the first time. i just threw probably a 1/4 cup into some veg broth and then followed the microwave cooking times. it definitely wasn't mushy, could say it even had a little crunch to it. is it supposed to be like that? it was good though, i really liked it. plus it's kinda cool looking when its cooked.
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Posted by Meggs on Jul 17, 2007 · Member since Jun 2007 · 3572 posts
I made it for the first time a week or so ago, with veggie broth instead of water. YUMMMMMY. I'm craving it again, must make a note to go to WF!!
It's very cool looking when it's cooked; I just cooked mine on the stove. Easy peasy.
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Posted by kittylove on Jul 17, 2007 · Member since May 2007 · 19 posts
Next time I'll try putting less water in and stopping it sooner. I did, however, find a use for the leftovers: I just had quinoa heated up with soymilk, honey and coconut- delicious!
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Posted by nutdragon on Jul 17, 2007 · Member since Aug 2006 · 807 posts
My favorite way to cook quinoa is to dry toast it lightly in the pan (it pops and smells faintly like pop corn) before I add the water or broth; then boil for 15-20 minutes. When you're toasting, shake it (like jiffy-pop). It adds a wonderfully nutty flavor.
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Posted by hespedal on Jul 17, 2007 · Member since Mar 2006 · 5259 posts
plus it's kinda cool looking when its cooked.
probably my favorite part :)
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Posted by propinecone on Jul 17, 2007 · Member since May 2007 · 2842 posts
ok, i just made some more and this time it cooked longer.. now it's chewy like i think it's supposed to be - no crunch. i'm using it as a replacement for the brown rice in one of the mexican recipes & it's good.
meggs- get yours at trader joes - it's cheaper than at whole foods. it's like 1.99 a box at tj.
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Posted by jenniferhughes on Jul 18, 2007 · Member since Aug 2006 · 1828 posts
Nutdragon, I'd like to try toasting it like you do before cooking but I have to rinse my quinoa several times first (I think some quinoa sold is pre-rinsed or something) do you think it could do it wet? Maybe on a cookie sheet in the oven? Or toast then rinse maybe??
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Posted by propinecone on Jul 18, 2007 · Member since May 2007 · 2842 posts
do you guys have any trick methods that make rinsing it easier?
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Posted by jenniferhughes on Jul 18, 2007 · Member since Aug 2006 · 1828 posts
I just rinse it 3x in cold water. I put it in a bowl and fill with water, dump most of the water... add more water... I don't worry about pouring all the water off ecah time that's why I rinse many times. It seems to work.
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Posted by nutdragon on Jul 18, 2007 · Member since Aug 2006 · 807 posts
I accomplish toasting in one of two ways: 1) If I remember the day before, I have a little cloth bag that I put the rinsed grain in and I hang it over the faucet to dry over night. Works wonderfully. 2) If I forget, I don't rinse it and I don't usually notice a difference. It supposed to be more bitter, I think if you don't rinse it. I've always been told to rinse it. Maybe I'll die from my utter lack of adherence to this rule, but I can't tell a difference.
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Posted by feelinsoreal on Jul 18, 2007 · Member since Feb 2007 · 623 posts
I can't tell the difference either when I don't rinse. I used to but I kept losing quinoa through the slots in my strainer, so one day I just threw it in the pan and cooked it without rinsing prior, and it tasted the same. Maybe mine comes pre-rinsed (I buy 365 Organic in a bag, but I think they recommend rinsing on the package), but unless I hear that it's dangerous or something, I'm just gonna cook it as is whenever I buy that brand.
I discovered quinoa at the Native American museum in DC and had to get some, especially after reading the health benefits. I like making it when I do stir-fry, bcause it's easier/faster than brown rice and healthier than sushi rice. Makes for a tasty lunch or light dinner.
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Posted by laurabs on Jul 18, 2007 · Member since Jul 2006 · 2610 posts
to be honest, I have never had quinoa in my life. it seems like such work! I mean, if I'm going to have grains, why not just take 5 minutes to make couscous? but from what I hear, quinoa is worth it, isn't it?
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Posted by Cali on Jul 18, 2007 · Member since Jan 2002 · 2888 posts
Quinoa is amazing in terms of nutrition. The fact that it tastes amazing, cooks quicker than brown rice and is so versatile just adds to the goodness!
Posted by CherBear on Jul 18, 2007 · Member since Jun 2006 · 317 posts
I'm a lil embarassed to admit this but I've never, ever tried quinoa.... I have no idea where to find it, how to cook it, etc. :D
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Posted by secondbase on Jul 18, 2007 · Member since Dec 2005 · 5540 posts
quinoa is my favorite grain by a longshot! It's lighter than brown rice and most other grains and is jampacked with nutrients. Cooking it is very easy (1:1 ratio) and it shouldn't be mushy or lightly crunchy. Do rinse it very well because it can have a bitter flavor if you do not.
I like cooking mine in veg broth with onions, garlic, celery, mushrooms and tomatoes :) with some fresh herbs thrown in.
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Posted by Meggs on Jul 18, 2007 · Member since Jun 2007 · 3572 posts
meggs- get yours at trader joes - it's cheaper than at whole foods. it's like 1.99 a box at tj.
Hmmm... are you sure it's not cheaper to buy in bulk at WF? I should price check I suppose... TJ's would be way more convenient, as it's about 5 minutes away compared to 20-25 with WF. Thanks for the idea! They sell it in a box?
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Posted by propinecone on Jul 18, 2007 · Member since May 2007 · 2842 posts
meggs- get yours at trader joes - it's cheaper than at whole foods. it's like 1.99 a box at tj.
Hmmm... are you sure it's not cheaper to buy in bulk at WF? I should price check I suppose... TJ's would be way more convenient, as it's about 5 minutes away compared to 20-25 with WF. Thanks for the idea! They sell it in a box?
yep 16oz box (organic)
i haven't checked the wf bulk though so let us know :)
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Posted by feelinsoreal on Jul 18, 2007 · Member since Feb 2007 · 623 posts
Around here the bulk quinoa at Whole Foods is $1.69/pound. It's the same price for a 1-pound bag so I just take the lazy option and buy it pre-packaged (I'm the only one in the house who really eats it).
Laurabs, quinoa is worth it if you're looking for a different grain to try. What I do is get it going, then let it simmer while I prepare and cook everything else. It usually takes about 10 minutes for 1/4 cup of quinoa to absorb 1/2-cup of water.
I am in love with quinoa!! :-* I discovered it about a month ago, and now I crave it! Anyway, to me, it sounds like you may have cooked it a little too long or maybe on too high temp. I usually put the rinsed quinoa in the pot with 2x water, let it boil for a few minutes (2-3) then turn it down to low and cover for about 15 minutes. It is usually "fluffy." I don't know how rice cookers work....so I'm probably not much help :(
i have never tied quinoa in a rice cooker but i would guess you used too much water and left it in there too long, because it isn't a mushy grain. it is really easy on the stove!
i made some last night for the first time. i just threw probably a 1/4 cup into some veg broth and then followed the microwave cooking times. it definitely wasn't mushy, could say it even had a little crunch to it. is it supposed to be like that? it was good though, i really liked it. plus it's kinda cool looking when its cooked.
I made it for the first time a week or so ago, with veggie broth instead of water.
YUMMMMMY. I'm craving it again, must make a note to go to WF!!
It's very cool looking when it's cooked; I just cooked mine on the stove. Easy peasy.
Next time I'll try putting less water in and stopping it sooner. I did, however, find a use for the leftovers: I just had quinoa heated up with soymilk, honey and coconut- delicious!
My favorite way to cook quinoa is to dry toast it lightly in the pan (it pops and smells faintly like pop corn) before I add the water or broth; then boil for 15-20 minutes. When you're toasting, shake it (like jiffy-pop). It adds a wonderfully nutty flavor.
plus it's kinda cool looking when its cooked.
probably my favorite part :)
ok, i just made some more and this time it cooked longer.. now it's chewy like i think it's supposed to be - no crunch. i'm using it as a replacement for the brown rice in one of the mexican recipes & it's good.
meggs- get yours at trader joes - it's cheaper than at whole foods. it's like 1.99 a box at tj.
Nutdragon, I'd like to try toasting it like you do before cooking but I have to rinse my quinoa several times first (I think some quinoa sold is pre-rinsed or something) do you think it could do it wet? Maybe on a cookie sheet in the oven? Or toast then rinse maybe??
do you guys have any trick methods that make rinsing it easier?
I just rinse it 3x in cold water. I put it in a bowl and fill with water, dump most of the water... add more water... I don't worry about pouring all the water off ecah time that's why I rinse many times. It seems to work.
I accomplish toasting in one of two ways:
1) If I remember the day before, I have a little cloth bag that I put the rinsed grain in and I hang it over the faucet to dry over night. Works wonderfully.
2) If I forget, I don't rinse it and I don't usually notice a difference. It supposed to be more bitter, I think if you don't rinse it. I've always been told to rinse it. Maybe I'll die from my utter lack of adherence to this rule, but I can't tell a difference.
I can't tell the difference either when I don't rinse. I used to but I kept losing quinoa through the slots in my strainer, so one day I just threw it in the pan and cooked it without rinsing prior, and it tasted the same. Maybe mine comes pre-rinsed (I buy 365 Organic in a bag, but I think they recommend rinsing on the package), but unless I hear that it's dangerous or something, I'm just gonna cook it as is whenever I buy that brand.
I discovered quinoa at the Native American museum in DC and had to get some, especially after reading the health benefits. I like making it when I do stir-fry, bcause it's easier/faster than brown rice and healthier than sushi rice. Makes for a tasty lunch or light dinner.
to be honest, I have never had quinoa in my life. it seems like such work! I mean, if I'm going to have grains, why not just take 5 minutes to make couscous? but from what I hear, quinoa is worth it, isn't it?
Quinoa is amazing in terms of nutrition. The fact that it tastes amazing, cooks quicker than brown rice and is so versatile just adds to the goodness!
Check out the wikipedia page about Quinoa.
I'm a lil embarassed to admit this but I've never, ever tried quinoa.... I have no idea where to find it, how to cook it, etc. :D
quinoa is my favorite grain by a longshot! It's lighter than brown rice and most other grains and is jampacked with nutrients. Cooking it is very easy (1:1 ratio) and it shouldn't be mushy or lightly crunchy. Do rinse it very well because it can have a bitter flavor if you do not.
I like cooking mine in veg broth with onions, garlic, celery, mushrooms and tomatoes :) with some fresh herbs thrown in.
meggs- get yours at trader joes - it's cheaper than at whole foods. it's like 1.99 a box at tj.
Hmmm... are you sure it's not cheaper to buy in bulk at WF? I should price check I suppose... TJ's would be way more convenient, as it's about 5 minutes away compared to 20-25 with WF. Thanks for the idea! They sell it in a box?
meggs- get yours at trader joes - it's cheaper than at whole foods. it's like 1.99 a box at tj.
Hmmm... are you sure it's not cheaper to buy in bulk at WF? I should price check I suppose... TJ's would be way more convenient, as it's about 5 minutes away compared to 20-25 with WF. Thanks for the idea! They sell it in a box?
yep 16oz box (organic)
i haven't checked the wf bulk though so let us know :)
Around here the bulk quinoa at Whole Foods is $1.69/pound. It's the same price for a 1-pound bag so I just take the lazy option and buy it pre-packaged (I'm the only one in the house who really eats it).
Laurabs, quinoa is worth it if you're looking for a different grain to try. What I do is get it going, then let it simmer while I prepare and cook everything else. It usually takes about 10 minutes for 1/4 cup of quinoa to absorb 1/2-cup of water.
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