Quinoa is considered a superfood because of its nutritional benefits. In fact, I had read once that it contains all 9 essential amino acids. Apparently, those essential amino acids aren’t made by our bodies and as a result, it must come from food.
Quinoa is easy to make and usually only requires a few ingredients. It can be added to salads and paired with meals.
Here are a few of my recipes that include quinoa:
Pureed meals that include quinoa:
- Pureed Quinoa, Sweet Potato, Broccoli and Collard Greens
- Pureed Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Broccoli, and Quinoa
List of Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups quinoa , rinsed well
- 2 1/2 cups filtered water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt (may leave the salt out if making this for younger child(ren))
Step By Step Instructions
Here’s how I like to cook my quinoa. For the liquid, can use filtered water, chicken broth or vegetable broth.
Measure 1 1/2 cups of quinoa, place it in a mesh strainer, and run cold water over it to give it a rinse. Be sure to rinse the quinoa well.
Add the rinsed quinoa and 2 1/2 cups of filtered water (or low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth) to a saucepan. Over medium heat, bring the liquid to a boil.
Once it boils, add 1 teaspoon of salt and stir. Bring the mixture back up to a boil, give it a final stir, cover it with a lid, lower the heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, the liquid should be absorbed. If it hasn’t been absorbed, then cover with the lid and allow it to simmer for a few more minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed. Turn the heat off, without removing the lid, let it sit off the heat for 15 minutes. I like to place a paper towel under the lid to help catch the moisture. Allow it to sit covered.
Fluff with fork and serve.
When preparing meals for my kids, I would batch cook my quinoa in advance. I would transfer them to individual (8 ounce) glass jars like this one or into glass food containers. Once cooled, I kept them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They were ready to use for lunch and/or dinner. I liked pairing it with some protein like chicken or salmon and some veggies like steamed broccoli with a leafy green.
How to Cook Quinoa
Here’s how I like to cook my quinoa. For the liquid, can use filtered water, chicken broth or vegetable broth.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups quinoa , rinsed well
- 2 1/2 cups filtered water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt (may leave the salt out if preparing this for younger child(ren)
Instructions
- Add the rinsed quinoa and the water (or chicken broth) to a saucepan. Over medium heat, bring the liquid to a boil.
- Once it boils, add 1 teaspoon of salt and stir.
- Bring the mixture back up to a boil, give it a final stir, cover it with a lid, lower the heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, the liquid should be absorbed. If it hasn’t been absorbed, then cover with the lid and allow it to simmer for a few more minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed.
- Turn the heat off, without removing the lid, let it sit off the heat for 15 minutes. I like to place a paper towel under the lid to help catch the moisture. Allow it to sit covered.
- Fluff with fork and serve.
