The number one mistake that people who are new to cooking quinoa make is not realizing that quinoa must be rinsed prior to serving. The reason this needs to happen is that the exterior of quinoa is covered with a very bitter substance called saponin. The purpose of it is to protect the seeds as they grow from both disease and pests. It is so bitter that it even keeps the birds away! To remove the saponin you will need to place the seeds in a fine colander and rinse it under warm water for at least three minutes. When your water begins to run clear you know that you have been successful in removing the saponin.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the three different types of quinoa – red, black and white – all cook a bit differently. As a general rule, the darker the quinoa the longer it will take to cook. Most recipes are written for white quinoa. So, if you are cooking red or black quinoa you may need to cook it a bit longer than the recipe you are making suggests.
There are so many different ways to serve quinoa. In the morning, you can try it as a cereal or toast it and use it to add a little crunch to your yogurt. It is also great tossed into a fritatta. Quinoa salad is absolutely amazing and can be made in so many different ways. It is also a great addition to your favorite stir fry recipes.