Fluffy Quinoa with Lemon and Olive Oil
In short: How to cook light, fluffy quinoa: rinse, toast, simmer and rest, then finish with lemon and olive oil. A gluten-free side for bowls and salads. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 5 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 215 kcal
Cooked well, quinoa is light, nutty and fluffy, with a small spiral tail on each grain. Cooked badly, it is bitter or mushy. Three things make the difference: rinse it to remove its bitter coating, measure the water, and let the pot rest off the heat before fluffing. This is the basic method for salads, bowls and sides, and it is naturally gluten-free.
Instructions
- Put the quinoa in a fine sieve and rinse it under cold running water for 30 to 60 seconds, rubbing the grains with your hand. Drain well.
- For a nuttier flavor, toast the drained quinoa in a dry saucepan over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring, until it smells toasty and looks dry.
- Add the water and salt and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to the lowest setting, cover and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, until the water is absorbed and little white tails appear.
- Take the pan off the heat and leave it covered and undisturbed for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the quinoa with a fork, then stir in the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice and parsley. Taste and add more salt if needed.
Tips
- Use a fine mesh sieve, because quinoa grains are small enough to slip through a regular colander. Rinse even if the packet says pre-rinsed.
- Cook it in stock instead of water for more flavor. Cooked quinoa keeps for 5 days in the fridge, ready for salads, bowls and soups.
Questions and answers
What is the ratio of quinoa to water?
Use about 2 parts water to 1 part quinoa by weight, which is 420 ml water for 200 g quinoa. Slightly less water gives firmer grains, which suit salads.
Why is my quinoa bitter?
Quinoa has a natural bitter coating called saponin that must be rinsed off. Rinse it thoroughly in a fine sieve for at least 30 seconds.
Can I freeze cooked quinoa?
Yes. Cool it completely, freeze it flat in bags for up to 3 months and thaw it in the fridge, or reheat from frozen with a splash of water.
How long does it take to make Fluffy Quinoa with Lemon and Olive Oil?
About 25 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fluffy Quinoa with Lemon and Olive Oil?
About 215 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 32 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 215 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 32 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 290 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
