What is Quinoa?

Quinoa with germ ring
Quinoa is cooked when the seed is translucent and tender
and the germ has spiraled out from the grain.

Quinoa is a South American grain-like crop that is increasingly becoming popular in North American cuisine. While the leaves of quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) plant can be cooked as a potherb, the seeds, or "grains" (while quinoa is not a true cereal, its seeds resemble and are similarly used like grains) of the plant are probably most commonly found, and can be cooked like rice, added to soups and stews, and made into salads and stuffings.

Before cooking with quinoa, be sure to rinse the grains under running water; they are coated with sapopins (defensive compounds) that can give a finished dish a bitter taste if the seeds aren't rinsed before using.

This water-saving method is not only eco-friendly but still gets rid of those pesky saponins, leaving you with perfectly clean quinoa. Salt water helps break the bond between the saponins and quinoa. Soaking it in plain water removes any salty residue.

  1. Cover with water by about a 1/2 inch.
  2. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, stir, and soak for 30 minutes, swirling it every so often.
  3. Drain the quinoa, cover it again with plain water, and soak once more—no need to rinse!
  4. Drain one last time, and you’re done. Zero waste, no bitterness.

For extra depth of flavor, try toasting the quinoa before cooking it. After rinsing the grains, dry them in a towel, then toast them briefly in a dry skillet until they color slightly and have a nutty aroma.

If you've never cooked quinoa before, the grains can be added to a variety of dishes, are easy to use and cook up quickly. Place the rinsed grains in boiling water (1 part seeds to 2 parts water - some recipes call for 1 1/2 cups water) and cook until the quinoa is translucent and tender and the germ has spiraled out from the grain, 12 to 15 minutes (be careful not to overcook).

Add the drained quinoa to salads - I have seen several recipes for Quinoa Tabbouleh, for instance - or flavor and serve as a side dish or pilaf.

Quinoa Pilaf w/ Lemon & Thyme
Quinoa Salad w/ Red Bell Pepper & Cilantro
Quinoa Salad w/ Grilled Corn, Tomatoes & Cilantro
Lentil Quinoa Salad
Quinoa & Vegetable Stew
Dubliner Cheese Quinoa Cakes