Fluffing the quinoa will loosen any grains that are compacted or stuck together, helping your quinoa have a lighter texture. Fred Decker is a trained chef and prolific freelance writer. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. https://www.thefullhelping.com/one-pot-italian-quinoa-lentils It comes out perfectly every time, "This was a great idea to cook quinoa in a rice cooker. Perfect! You may need to read the manufacturer’s instructions for your rice cooker if you’re not sure exactly how to operate it. add chicken broth, brown rice and lentils bring to a boil reduce heat to a simmer cover and cook 15 min after 15 min, add quinoa simmer an additional 25 min add water if necessary Serving Size: makes 4 8oz servings Number of Cook, stirring occasionally for about 1 minute. To defrost it, put the container in the refrigerator overnight. Store in an air tight container for up to 4 days, or freeze in a freezer bag or meal prep container for up to 3 months. Tip: If you'd like to use fresh herbs, wait until the quinoa has finished cooking, then stir them in just before you serve the dish. They take longer to cook, because the bran layer slows their absorption of water, but these rices have a chewier texture and are much more nutritious. Avoid using hot water, which can give the quinoa a gummy texture. https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016864-quinoa-and-lentil-pilaf Cover the rice cooker and turn it on. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes until quinoa is tender and most of the liquid is aborbed. Research source. 2 Add the lentils, rice, water/stock, and, optionally, seasoning and pre-cooked vegetables. Before we move on, here’s a list of the basic things you will need: 1 cup of lentil (red, green or brown) 2 cups cold purified water; Strainer; Wooden spoon; A clean container or bowl; Soon as you gather the necessary things … Measure 1.5 c of quinoa and 1.5 c of lentils + 3 c water, add everything into the rice cooker. The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. Stir in carrots and quinoa. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. The quinoa cooks away to a soft and creamy texture, giving the otherwise dry and chewy brown rice a pleasantly creamy coating that adds moisture and a nutty flavor to the rice. Either brown rice or quinoa will cook perfectly well in a rice cooker, with the rice taking approximately 45 minutes and quinoa taking 15 minutes. Stir them together before serving, or toss them in a serving bowl until they're combined. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Curry powder if you’re making an Indian or Caribbean-inspired dish. Consider swapping the water for chicken stock, or using the spice ratios in these. White rice is an immediately familiar part of many meals, from the impossibly light and fluffy basmati of your favorite Indian restaurant to the dense and chewy short-grain rice in your sushi roll. Advance preparation: The pilaf will keep for 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator. Pour in stock and bring to a boil. Learn more... Quinoa is delicious and nutritious. Chinese five-spice powder to complement an Asian meal. "Makes much faster, unmonitored quinoa (don't have to constantly check the pot). Then, use a fork to fluff it gently to loosen any grains that are stuck together. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If you’re concerned that stock will make your quinoa too salty, try using low-sodium broth or stock instead. You can even add other ingredients to flavor your quinoa as it cooks. The wikiHow Video Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. To learn how to make variations of quinoa in a rice cooker, like coconut milk and fruit quinoa, read on! This article has been viewed 51,574 times. Tested. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. Quinoa is one of a group of grains and pseudograins referred to collectively as "ancient grains" for marketing purposes. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Get recipes, tips and NYT special offers delivered straight to your inbox. X Cook rice using the 'white rice' function (if your rice cooker has that option; otherwise just press cook). Add 1 cup uncooked quinoa, reduce heat to a light simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Opt out or, medium size yellow or red onion, finely chopped, tablespoons fresh lemon juice (more to taste). Add 1 cup dry lentils, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until tender. Rinse and drain the lentils and rice (you may wish to wash them together for the sake of time) multiple times, either using a wire strainer or the pot of your rice cooker. Plain white rice in its various incarnations is a supremely versatile ingredient or a useful side dish in its own right. Add herbs and pepper, stir together, taste and adjust salt. That means vegetarians don't need to combine it with legumes for proper nutrition. The rice cooker will beep after about 30 minutes, and your quinoa will be ready to serve. It was suppressed by the Spanish, but began to make a comeback in the 1980s as food scientists recognized its potential as a modern food crop. Avoid lifting the lid as the quinoa cooks since it won't steam properly if moisture escapes. A rice maker will cook either of those alternatives just as well as white rice, either separately or together. Try adding a squirt of lemon juice to the liquid for a bright burst of color. Cooked quinoa should be stored in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking. Subscribe now for full access. Spare some moment and check them out below. Alternatively, you can prepare the quinoa ahead of time, and sprinkle it on top of the rice at the end of its cooking cycle.