Ready to cook flavoured Quinoa

I make a full box of quinoa on a Sunday evening, allow it to cool and pop into the fridge. Then, in the morning, I simply have to chop up a few things; tomato, avocado, cucumber etc and mix through. The perfect, health and tasty lunch for on the go – really good…

Serving suggestions

Persian with Date and Pistachio Quinoa

Simply serve mixed through or with a fresh salad of your choice

Serve with BBQ lamb loin chops and drizzle with minted yoghurt

Once cooked, stir through a mixture of roasted vegetables such as sweet potato, eggplant and pumpkin

Sundried Tomato and Kalamata Olive Quinoa

My favourite is to make a Gluten Free Tabbouleh.

Cook quinoa and allow to cool. Add a handful of chopped flat leaf parsley, a handful of chopped fresh mint, finely diced tomato and red onion, a good squeeze of lemon juice and a glug of your favourite olive oil. Mix together – oh my goodness – delicious. Add cubed feta or a dollop of goats curd for that extra bit of decadence!

Or simply serve with a fresh green salad

BBQ or pan fry prawns or add white anchovies (yum…)

Once cooked, stir through a mixture of roasted veg such as red capsicum, eggplant, zucchini then add some halved green olives

Porcini with Roasted Garlic and Thyme Quinoa

This has a lovely full flavour so simply serve with a fresh green salad or steamed veggies

Mix through handful of baby spinach leaves as soon as cooked and top with a runny poached egg… oh yeah!

Once cooked, crumble on some fetta or goats curd and top with finely chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Cooking instructions

Rice cooker

Just the same way as rice – simply add the appropriate boiling water (450ml per 225gm quinoa). Stir until all seeds are covered in water, and then start the cooker (as per manufacturer instructions). It will take approx. 18 mins to have beautifully cooked quinoa – just be careful, some rice cookers are known to stick! Unlike rice you can stir quinoa a few times while cooking to prevent burning in the bottom of the pan – you’ll know your rice cooker and its idiosyncrasies!

Thermomix

Simply add the appropriate boiling water (450ml per 225gm quinoa). Stir until all seeds are covered in water, then 16 mins, 100 degrees, reverse soft stir will do the job. It is not as perfect as other methods of cooking due to the stirring motion but it’s easy!

Microwave

This is based on an 1100 watt microwave – simply add the appropriate boiling water (450ml per 225gm quinoa) to a large microwaveable container with a lid (it will boil up the sides). Stir until all seeds are covered in water, cover with lid and cook on high for 5 minutes, stir, then on 50% (or similar) for 10 minutes. Let it sit for a few minutes to finish cooking. Microwaves do vary in power so check what power yours has.