Instant Pot Quinoa – Yummy and Nutritious
Almost everyone knows what quinoa is these days, especially if you tend to explore nutritional eating at all. I first posted about it way back in 2012. (Wow, how time flies). Quinoa has become a lot more popular since then and is even offered in restaurants now.
If you are not familiar with this oddly pronounced seed, (KEEN-whah), I am sure you are not alone. The reason I am posting today is that I want to show you how to make it so much easier in the INSTANT POT.
I am sure you are not surprised, right? This INSTANT POT just keeps getting more useful every day. Just keep loving it!!!!!
Now, quinoa isn’t that hard to make on the stovetop, but it seems every time I would make it, it was different. It’s kinda like making rice for me. I could never get it right on the stovetop. But NOW I can have RICE and Quinoa turn out perfectly EVERY TIME!
Besides being yummy and easy to make, quinoa ……..
- has the highest protein of any grain (16 percent)
- is a COMPLETE protein with an essential amino acid profile similar to milk
- it contains MORE CALCIUM THAN MILK
- has many other vital nutrients, including IRON, PHOSPHORUS, B VITAMINS, and VITAMIN E
how to make Instant Pot Quinoa
Measuring the amount of quinoa and water is EASY PEASY! The amounts are equal. ONE part water, ONE part quinoa. Yep, and you know what gets even better, you set the Instant Pot to cook for ONE minute.
1- Measure 1 cup quinoa and give it to rinse
Rinsing the seeds in a fine mesh strainer will remove the bitter coating called saponin. If you don’t use a fine mesh strainer, the little seeds will fall through. Some quinoa will come pre-rinsed and you won’t have to worry about this step.
2- Toast the seed
Place your Instant Pot setting to ‘SAUTE” and add the rinsed seeds to the pot. Saute for 5 minutes stirring regularly. You will soon start to smell a nice nutty fragrance. Toasting the seeds seems to give it a nice finished texture.
3- Add 1 cup of water to the pot
4- Turn off the machine and switch the setting to ‘MANUAL’ high pressure. Set for 1 minute.
Even if you cook more than one cup of quinoa, the setting will always be one minute.
5- When the timer goes off use ‘NATURAL RELEASE’
6- Let the pressure release for 15 minutes.
(If there is still pressure at 15 minutes, manual release)
7- Fluff with a fork and serve.
To freeze, just place a couple of cups of quinoa into quart freezer bags. Lay flat and freeze. These little bags of golden seeds will come in handy for future meals. Add it to recipes, hot breakfast cereals, salads, and even your breakfast smoothie. What a great way to get some nutrition into any meal.
Quinoa can be purchased at the grocery store. Many stores now even offer it in the bulk section. There is a white, red, or black variety. The darker grains have a nuttier flavor and slightly crunchier texture that makes it great for salads and hearty soups. I like this brand. It is available here or at Costco. Sometimes I buy the mixed variety pack, which adds a little color to dishes and is a little more firm in soups.
Enjoy!
HERE ARE SOME YUMMY RECIPES WITH QUINOA IN THEM
Instant Pot Quinoa – Yummy and Nutritious
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I want to show you how to make Quinoa so fast and much easier in the INSTANT POT!
- Prep Time5 min
- Cook Time15 min
- Total Time20 min
Ingredients
- 1 Cup quinoa
- 1 Cup water
INSTUCTIONS
Measure 1 cup quinoa and give it rinse
Toast the seeds
Add 1 cup water to pot
Turn off the machine and switch the setting to ‘MANUAL’ high pressure. Set for 1 minute.
Even if you cook more than one cup quinoa, the setting will always be one minute.
When the timer goes off use ‘NATURAL RELEASE’
Let pressure release for 15 minutes.
(If there is still pressure at 15 minutes, manual release)
Fluff with a fork and serve.
Jan Howell
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Jan Howell
Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.
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