Basically, anything you want to make extra fancy.
What is Quinoa
So, whatโs quinoa? Itโs a seed that cross-dresses as a grain. ๐ Quinoa is full of complex carbsโthe hella good carbs. Itโs also loaded with fiber, and the real kicker? Itโs a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. Mic drop.
Why & How to Rinse Quinoa
Butโplot twistโyou gotta rinse that bad boy before you eat it. Because quinoaโs outer shell (the hull) is coated in saponins, a natural compound that acts like natureโs way of saying, โI dare you to eat me.โ
Saponins are bitter, and theyโll totally wreck your stomach if you eat too much. Not cute. Not demure.
The Salt Method
Hereโs my genius hack for cleaning quinoa without wasting a gallon of water.
Most recipes say: โJust rinse it under running water.โ Butโhold upโthatโs a lot of water. Faucets spit out about a gallon of water a minute, so my method uses 8x less water. Iโm saving the planet and your water billโyou’re welcome. ๐๐ง
๐ฅฃ Add quinoa to a small bowl.
๐ง Cover it with water.
๐ง Add 1 teaspoon of salt, stir, and soak for 30 minutesโswirl it every now and then.
๐ Drain, rinse, and repeatโbut DO NOT actually rinse.
๐ง Cover with water again and let it soak.
๐จโ๐ณ Drain one last time, and boomโyouโre ready to rock.
How to Toast Quinoa
Add your rinsed quinoa to a dry pan over medium heat. No oil, no butterโjust raw doggin’ it.
Keep that quinoa movingโdonโt let it burn!
This is the Maillard reaction in action. When the quinoa is heated, a chemical reaction happens between the amino acids and the reducing sugars, creating hundreds of different flavor compounds that make it taste richer, nuttier, and more savory. Yummers!
Toast it for about 5 minutes. Donโt be shocked if some grains start popping like popcorn. Yep, itโs totally normal.
Once itโs golden brown and smells a little nutty, youโre done.
How to Use Toasted Quinoa
Because quinoa is a complete protein, toasted quinoa is the perfect addition to salads, smoothie bowls, yogurt, soups, and so much more.
Hereโs a secret: You can also toast quinoa before boiling it.
Toasting it before you cook it adds a nutty flavor that takes it from โmehโ to โyes, please.โ ๐ Toasting also makes quinoa firmer and less sticky. How? It seals the outer layer, which means less water is absorbed and less starch is released during cooking.
How to Store Uncooked/Cooked Quinoa
Now that you know how to make it taste amazing, letโs talk storage.
Uncooked quinoa goes in an airtight container and hangs out in a cool, dry spotโso pantry up! ๐ก It can last up to 3 years. Yep, THREE YEARS! Cooked quinoa keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just make sure itโs also sealed tight, like your family secrets. ๐คซ
Now you are ready to get your quinoa on!
If you make something thatโs social media-worthy, tag me! I wanna see you slay! ๐
