Perfect Quinoa is pretty easy, gluten-free and vegan and works every time. I love quinoa, it goes with everything. It has an earthy, nutty flavour that pairs especially well with Rich Tomato Sauce and roasted vegetables. Quinoa has a tendency to turn in to bad tasting wallpaper paste if you are not careful. However if you follow these quick and easy steps you will have perfect, light, fluffy, nutty and naturally gluten free and vegan quinoa.

There are lots of methods to cook quinoa – some of them work, some of them don’t work. This method works every time! The key to this Perfect Quinoa method is toasting the quinoa before cooking. Super easy. I cook my Perfect Quinoa in a pan on the hob using one of the many absorption methods – where the grain is cooked with only the volume of water required to cook the grain. As the method suggests the water is absorbed by the quinoa. There are lots of other absorption methods – this is the tastiest and most consistent. Other methods include steaming, boiling in excess water, in the microwave, in a rice cooker and so on…

Allergy Information – Perfect Quinoa

Perfect Quinoa is gluten-free and vegan as well as… low FODMAP, celery free, coconut free, garlic free, lupin free, mustard free, nightshade free, onion free, peanut free, sesame free, soya free, tree nut free.

Top Tips – Perfect Quinoa

This is one of the rare occasions that ingredients are measured by volume rather than weight.

I do not add salt. I do not think quinoa needs salt. However for an extra dimension you can add some gluten free, vegan stock powder to the boiling water before adding to the pan.

For any leftover quinoa cool quickly and refrigerate.

I love Perfect Quinoa with Cabbage and Carrot Salad, Chilli Sin Carne or mix in some flaked almonds and lightly cooked peas for a great side.

Quinoa is one of my store cupboard essentials. I eat quinoa weekly, in one form or another. I adore it! Find out what else is on my regular shopping list with my FREE Store Cupboard Essentials Cheat Sheet. Get it now! Just click the button below, sign-up and download.

Recipe – Perfect Quinoa

Serves 2-6 (depends how much you cook)
Difficulty easy
Preparation time 5 minutes
Cooking time 20 minutes (including standing time)

Ingredients – Perfect Quinoa

1 measure of quinoa
2.5 measures of boiling water

Method – Perfect Quinoa

1. Add the quinoa to a high sided, dry pan and put on a low to medium heat. Gently toast the quinoa until the grains have changed colour and there is a nutty smell coming from the pan
2. Add the boiling water to the pan and, quickly and carefully, place a lid on the pan. The pan will be very hot and so will spit and bubble like crazy. This is why it is best to use a high sided pan
3. Cook the quinoa on a low heat until all the water is absorbed. Once all the water is absorbed turn off the heat, fluff the quinoa gently, replace the lid and leave to stand for at least 10 minutes
4. Ready to serve.