Do you rinse your Quinoa?

[Linda0818]

On a couple of occasions, I've bought the pre-rinsed quinoa just so I wouldn't have to do it myself. But the pre-rinsed is more expensive than the 'regular' type, so the 'regular' type is normally what I buy. And sometimes I've rinsed it, sometimes not.

Do you notice a difference in taste and texture of your quinoa if you rinse it before cooking? Or do you feel it's pretty much the same? I haven't noticed a huge difference at all, except one time the quinoa tasted a little sandy and gritty, but that could have just been the specific brand.

 

[JustJoel]

LOL, I don’t EAT quinoa, so no, I don’t rinse it!

 

[Linda0818]

LOL, I don’t EAT quinoa, so no, I don’t rinse it!

Um, okay. Thanks for your helpful contribution.

 

[pepperhead212]

The first quinoa I got was the white, and it would foam up big time when I washed it. However, when I started buying the red and black, it never foamed up, and I later read that it was usually prewashed. And, while red and black are normally more expensive, I got them in large amounts on ebay or Amazon, for less per pound than I could find white for.

 

[Linda0818]

The first quinoa I got was the white, and it would foam up big time when I washed it. However, when I started buying the red and black, it never foamed up, and I later read that it was usually prewashed. And, while red and black are normally more expensive, I got them in large amounts on ebay or Amazon, for less per pound than I could find white for.

I've never even seen red or black quinoa. Does it have the same taste as the white or is it somewhat different?

 

[pepperhead212]

Linda, The red and black have slightly different flavors, and a little stronger than the white, but still, the flavors are pretty much all covered up by other flavors in almost all dishes they are used in. I have tried dry toasting quinoa in a pan, before cooking in liquid - something that gives some grains a better flavor - but this didn't help with the quinoa. I first learned about these different quinoas on Chef Brad's Fusion Grain Cooking.

 

[Cheryl J]

I usually have a box of pre-rinsed quinoa in the pantry and like to make a cup or so a week, and add a spoonful or two in my morning scrambled eggs. I've also used quinoa in a summer salad....like pasta, it soaks up whatever dominant flavor it's used with, so I don't think the colors taste much different, although the combo is very pretty.

I'm out now, and can't remember the name of the boxed brand I buy...I think it's 'Ancient Harvest', or something like that. I'm not really fond of quinoa on it's own, but I like it as a filler and feel like I'm getting a little extra protein.

Here's a pic of a summer salad from a few years ago. Pretty tasty - but again, it just soaks up whatever dressing is added to it.

 

[pepperhead212]

Here's a photo of the two quinoas in my pantry:
Black and red quinoa by pepperhead212, on Flickr

I also put quinoa in a lot of salads, esp. in the summer, when I make a lot of raw tomato pasta salads, and I like to add some legumes and grains to them, in place of some of the pasta. I also add it to curries, and similar things, when I have some it pre-cooked in the fridge.

Especially in the summer, I cook some up, and keep it in the fridge, for many of these things. I learned a trick for cooking it from the booklet I got with the IP - put in 1 c rinsed quinoa and 2 c water, plus salt, if desired, put the lid on, and set the manual timer to 1 minute - that's right, 1 minute! of course, it takes a while to get the pressure up, but it cooks just one minute, then you let the pressure release naturally for just 5 minute, then release the rest, which is very little, since almost all of the water was absorbed.

I always add another 1/4 c water to the red and black, because they seem to absorb more than the white.

 

[Linda0818]

I usually have a box of pre-rinsed quinoa in the pantry and like to make a cup or so a week, and add a spoonful or two in my morning scrambled eggs. I've also used quinoa in a summer salad....like pasta, it soaks up whatever dominant flavor it's used with, so I don't think the colors taste much different, although the combo is very pretty.

I'm out now, and can't remember the name of the boxed brand I buy...I think it's 'Ancient Harvest', or something like that. I'm not really fond of quinoa on it's own, but I like it as a filler and feel like I'm getting a little extra protein.

Here's a pic of a summer salad from a few years ago. Pretty tasty - but again, it just soaks up whatever dressing is added to it.

What a great idea! I do something similar; I buy flax meal and add it to my hot cereals and some other foods as well. I don't even know it's in there.

That salad looks so good.

Here's a photo of the two quinoas in my pantry:
Black and red quinoa by pepperhead212, on Flickr

I also put quinoa in a lot of salads, esp. in the summer, when I make a lot of raw tomato pasta salads, and I like to add some legumes and grains to them, in place of some of the pasta. I also add it to curries, and similar things, when I have some it pre-cooked in the fridge.

Especially in the summer, I cook some up, and keep it in the fridge, for many of these things. I learned a trick for cooking it from the booklet I got with the IP - put in 1 c rinsed quinoa and 2 c water, plus salt, if desired, put the lid on, and set the manual timer to 1 minute - that's right, 1 minute! of course, it takes a while to get the pressure up, but it cooks just one minute, then you let the pressure release naturally for just 5 minute, then release the rest, which is very little, since almost all of the water was absorbed.

I always add another 1/4 c water to the red and black, because they seem to absorb more than the white.

Very interesting, never heard of it cooked that way before. And I love how organized your pantry is.

I love making quinoa patties. Here's a link to my favorite recipe. These are so delicious.

https://eatingwelllivingthin.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/love-my-quinoa-burger/

 

[Just Cooking]

Sadly, I have not acquired a liking for quinoa..
I've tried it in restaurants and have made my own 3 times..
I finally gave up on it as one of those things I just don't care for..

Ross

 

[Linda0818]

Sadly, I have not acquired a liking for quinoa..
I've tried it in restaurants and have made my own 3 times..
I finally gave up on it as one of those things I just don't care for..

Ross

I know the feeling. There are things I've really tried to like, giving it a second, or even a third, chance. But it just doesn't happen. Once I give it a few tries, I leave it alone. I don't believe in trying to force myself to eat something I just can't stomach.

One of those things is nori. Ugh, every time I've tried, I gag. I love sushi, but I won't eat it unless it's made with sesame or rice paper in place of the nori. I usually stick with nigiri, the bits that don't include nori.

 

[msmofet]

I make a Tricolor Quinoa & Orzo Pilaf

 

[Linda0818]

That looks delicious. And those veggies - is that your own creation? Dang, now I know what I'm gonna get for lunch tomorrow. Steamed Vegetable Delight from the local Chinese joint.

 

[msmofet]

That looks delicious. And those veggies - is that your own creation? Dang, now I know what I'm gonna get for lunch tomorrow. Steamed Vegetable Delight from the local Chinese joint.

Thank you Linda. That's chicken and veggie stir fry. They were both my creations.

 

[Linda0818]

That stir-fry is amazingly beautiful. What do you use for the sauce?

 

[msmofet]

That stir-fry is amazingly beautiful. What do you use for the sauce?

Thank you.

White wine, chicken broth and cornstarch.

 

[Linda0818]

Thank you.

White wine, chicken broth and cornstarch.

Thank you! I've got to make that soon. Perhaps this weekend, if I get the chance.

 

[Linda0818]

I make a Tricolor Quinoa & Orzo Pilaf

View attachment 33825

Oh and meant to ask you... do you rinse it first? I still haven't gotten many answers to my original question yet

 

[msmofet]

Oh and meant to ask you... do you rinse it first? I still haven't gotten many answers to my original question yet

Place quinoa in a fine sieve (strainer) and rinse well under water for about 2 minutes.

I have all three colored quinoa mixed together in a container. I think the white is pre-rinsed but the other two need to be rinsed. So I just rinse them all.

 

[Linda0818]

Place quinoa in a fine sieve (strainer) and rinse well under water for about 2 minutes.

I have all three colored quinoa mixed together in a container. I think the white is pre-rinsed but the other two need to be rinsed. So I just rinse them all.

Gotcha. I should probably do the same.