There are a variety of things that can be cooked in a rice cooker, including quinoa. If you have wondered how to cook quinoa in a rice cooker the right way and without a lot of problems, read on. We have some helpful tricks and tips that will assist you with the perfect batch of quinoa.
Traditionally, quinoa is cooked on a hob, but can be cooked in a rice cooker if you don’t mind the slightly different texture of the quinoa. In a rice cooker, quinoa comes out a little softer in texture and consistency. If you prefer your quinoa to have that crunchy texture, than cooking it in a rice cooker is not recommended.
Quinoa can be cooked in the same manner as rice, but the pot insert in the rice cooker should be sprayed lightly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the quinoa from sticking – which it will! Quinoa’s texture makes it highly susceptible to sticking to the pan, so it is best to spray before cooking. Even if your rice cooker has a non-stick coating on the insert, it is highly recommended that you spray the pan before adding the quinoa. You can also use olive oil or a light vegetable oil to prevent sticking, just be careful not to get too much.
Before adding quinoa to the rice cooker it should be rinsed in cold water to wash off any debris. The cleaner the quinoa the better the taste. Similar to cooking rice, use two parts water for every one part quinoa. Place the lid securely on top of the rice cooker and allow the quinoa to cook for about twenty minutes. The cooking time may fluctuate slightly depending on the power of your rice cooker. Some batches of quinoa take 19 minutes, while others may take 23 minutes. You should be prepared to taste the quinoa when you believe it to be done for texture and feel.
To make the quinoa more flavorful, you can substitute the water for cooking with vegetable or chicken stock. Vegetable stock adds a rich vegetable type flavor to your quinoa that makes it very tasty and seasoned. Also, mixing fresh herbs, such as basil or sage, adds a pleasant taste and aroma to your batch of quinoa. A dash of sea salt and cracked pepper also make the flavor stand out and the quinoa less bland.
Using a rice cooker that has a warmer setting is helpful if your quinoa gets done earlier than the rest of your dinner. The quinoa can be left in the rice cooker on the warming setting until you are ready to serve it on plates. A rice cooker is very convenient when cooking quinoa and keeps things neat and tidy without the mess of bubbling over. Most rice cookers provide easy clean-up that is great for cooking quinoa.
