How to cook Quinoa in Instant pot & stovetop?

Category: Kitchen Basics
Preparation Time: 5 mins  
Cooking Time: 15 mins

What is Quinoa?
Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is one of the world’s most popular health foods.

                                             

Quinoa is gluten-free, high in protein and one of the few plant foods that contain sufficient amounts of all nine essential amino acids. It is also high in fiber, magnesium, B vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E and various beneficial antioxidants. 

Surprisingly, there are over 120 different varieties of quinoa as defined by the Whole Grains Council. Though the grain itself can manifest in a wide variety of colors (including purple!), the most common quinoa colors found across American grocers are white (also considered ivory or yellow quinoa), red, and black.

Interestingly enough, all three of these quinoa types cook and taste differently. While white quinoa has a fluffy post-cook texture, red and black quinoa are known to keep more of their shape and color after cooking. Red quinoa also has a heartier taste and chewier texture than the muted, bitter taste of white quinoa, while black quinoa tastes somewhat crunchy and slightly sweeter than either red or white.

Why to rinse Quinoa before cooking?

Quinoa is a healthy grain that we can incorporate into a variety of different dishes. There is a coating on quinoa seeds that can give it a bitter and nutty taste. By using a fine mesh strainer or a sieve, we can avoid this bitter taste by thoroughly rinsing your quinoa first. Many pre-packed quinoa are pre-washed but it's better to rinse it again.

Cooking Quinoa in Stovetop:

Ingredients:

• Quinoa, washed -1 cup
• Water -  2 cups
• Salt - a pinch (optional)

Steps:

• Rinse the quinoa thoroughly using a fine sieve under the running water for atleast 30 secs and drain them

• In a cooking pan, add the quinoa along with the water and salt if adding
• Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer, uncovered, until quinoa is tender and a white "tail" appears around each grain, about 15 minutes
• Cover and set aside off the heat for 5 minutes; uncover and fluff with a fork

Cooking Quinoa in Instant pot:

This is my preferred method of cooking quinoa since its super easy :) When I am cooking more than 1 cup of quinoa, I will cook directly in the pot and for lesser amounts, I will cook using Pot-in-Pot method. (Mine is 6Qt Instant pot)

Ingredients:

• Quinoa, washed -1 cup
• Water -  1 1/4 cup
• Salt - a pinch (optional)

Steps:

• Rinse the quinoa thoroughly using a fine sieve under the running water for at least 30 secs and drain them

Direct cooking:

• In the inner pot of the instant pot, add the rinsed quinoa along with water and salt. We can also sauté quinoa in a tsp of oil or butter for a min and then add water along with salt
• Close the lid and ensure the vent is closed 
• Pressure cook at high pressure for 1 min
• Once it's done, press cancel and wait for the pressure to release naturally
• After the pressure got released, open and fluff up with fork
• Use it in your favourite recipes

Pot-in-Pot cooking:

• In the inner pot of the instant pot, add 1-1 1/2 cup of water
• In a small vessel, add the rinsed quinoa along with water and salt

• Place the vessel on a trivet in the inner pot

• Close the lid and ensure the vent is closed 
• Pressure cook at high pressure for 4 mins
• Once it's done, press cancel and wait for the pressure to release naturally
• After the pressure got released, open and fluff up with fork

• Use it in your favourite recipes