How to Make Quinoa Taste Good: Quinoa Cooking Tips

Quinoa has been gaining popularity as a healthy and versatile grain that's rich in protein and fiber. However, many people find it bland and unappetizing. I know the first time I tried quinoa, I wasn't so sure about it. But with a few simple cooking tips and flavor-boosting ingredients, you can transform quinoa into a delicious and nutritious dish. Here's how to make quinoa taste good:

1. Rinse quinoa before cooking

Quinoa has a natural coating called saponin that can make it taste bitter. To remove it, rinse quinoa thoroughly with cold water before cooking. You can also use a fine-mesh strainer to ensure that all the saponin is removed. In reality you should rinse rice, and all grains, or seeds before you cook them and not just quinoa.?

1. Cook quinoa in flavorful broth

Cooking quinoa in water alone can make it bland. Instead, try cooking it in broth, such as vegetable or chicken broth. This will infuse the quinoa with extra flavor. You can also add herbs and spices to the broth for added flavor. I'm started doing this a lot. I replace my water with chicken or vegetable broth in my rice cooker and it is easy to do and adds a lot of flavor.?

1. Add seasoning to the cooking water

If you don't have broth on hand, you can still add flavor to the quinoa by seasoning the cooking water. Add a pinch of salt, garlic powder, or other herbs and spices to the water before adding the quinoa.

4. Mix quinoa with flavorful ingredients

One of the easiest ways to make quinoa taste good is to mix it with flavorful ingredients. For example, you can add chopped vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, to the quinoa while it cooks. You can also mix in cooked beans, such as black beans or chickpeas, for extra protein and flavor. I love mixing quinoa with chicken or shrimp and broccoli. I've also used it to make lettuce wraps by mixing in chicken or tuna and carrots, onions and celery with the quinoa. I wrote another blog post here about some of my?favorite quinoa recipes .?

1. Add a sauce or dressing

A simple sauce or dressing can elevate the flavor of quinoa. Try mixing together olive oil, lemon juice, and minced garlic for a simple and delicious dressing. Or, mix together tahini, lemon juice, and water for a creamy and flavorful sauce. Hummus is also great for mixing and adding to quinoa.?

1. Top with fresh herbs or nuts

Fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, can add a burst of flavor to quinoa. Simply chop them up and sprinkle them over the cooked quinoa. You can also add some crunch by topping the quinoa with toasted nuts, such as almonds or pine nuts.

In conclusion, quinoa can be a delicious and nutritious addition to your diet with a little creativity and flavor-boosting ingredients. Try out these tips and experiment with your own favorite flavors to create a quinoa dish that's both tasty and healthy.

Need help with simple healthy cooking? Schedule your free call with me at https://meet.annalaurabrown.com or join me for a free zoom recipe cook along class. Register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvcOuhqjMqEtTuh7xvAx2sIuRvxb-R9tes