question about quinoa

pookynutt · 02-21-2011, 10:51 PM

Hey gals, i know many of you have a lot of experience with quinoa. i can't figure out how to wash it prior to cooking.

this probably sounds silly, but when i try its so light it floats and overflows into the sink and makes a huge mess. i would love to use it more due to its nutritional benefits. thanks in advance!

raebeaR · 02-21-2011, 10:59 PM

pookynutt... all I do is rinse it well in a large sieve. Seems to work fine. Good luck -- you'll love it!

zeffryn · 02-21-2011, 11:47 PM

I also just rinse it in a colander.

astrophe · 02-21-2011, 11:55 PM

I have a large fine mesh strainer I can rinse it in. Something like this:

It cannot be like a colander because the holes are too big and it can slip through.

But if you have cheesecloth, you can put that in the colander and then try to rinse it THROUGH the fabric so it's not getting all over or escaping through the colander holes.

Or maybe you have a clean cloth bag... like those large 5x7 inch drawsting muslin "bath tea" bag type or can sew one up. The kind people use for potpourri or blends to infuse a hot bath.

You could pour it in that and rinse it up and then dump it out in your pot.

But I like the mesh strainer better. Way easier.

HTH!
A.

Mmckellen · 02-22-2011, 06:18 AM

You can put it in a large bowl and cover it with water and swish around with your hand and then put it in a mesh strainer and rinse it. By the way, a lot of quinoa is now pre-rinsed, so if it comes in a bag (rather than a bulk bin) and doesn't instruct you to rinse it, you don't have to.

saef · 02-22-2011, 07:57 AM

I hear you. I'd eat quinoa far more often if I didn't have to deal with this.

I measure what I need into a big bowl, big enough to leave two inches of water over it. I stir it around with my hand till it's cloudy. Then I pour out the water through a fine mesh sieve. My sieve is not very big -- it's like a big ladle & has a handle on it & holds maybe a cup & a half of dry matter. I do this three times till the water is absolutely clear. Then I have to knock the wet quinoa into the pot to cook, using a spoon to scrape the damp sticky grains from the sieve.

Heidi58 · 02-22-2011, 08:02 AM

I bought a screen type colander for my quinoa at the Dollar Tree last year and it's made washing it so much easier.

I had bitter - and I mean BITTER - quinoa once and it almost put me off the stuff forever. Because of that I rinse it all, no matter what the label says.

pookynutt · 02-23-2011, 08:51 PM

Thanks for all the helpful responses ladies. i'll give it a try!

Mmckellen · 02-24-2011, 06:22 AM

Quinoa is also really great in a salad with avocado and chick peas and caesar dressing...mmmmm.

Changed · 02-24-2011, 08:50 AM

I love it but I had no idea you were supposed to rinse it.

snoozlebug · 02-24-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmckellen

Quinoa is also really great in a salad with avocado and chick peas and caesar dressing...mmmmm.

WHOA...you just blew my mind. I need to try that asap!!

saef · 02-24-2011, 01:51 PM

In the summer, I like quinoa with black beans, and diced mango, sweet red bell pepper & sweet vidalia onions. Sliced grape tomatoes are also good to add, but I used to add a bowl of gazpacho on the side, so I didn't add the tomatoes. (Think pasta salad with no pasta.)

shelflife · 02-24-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmckellen

Quinoa is also really great in a salad with avocado and chick peas and caesar dressing...mmmmm.

Like!

RRB2 · 02-28-2011, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmckellen

Quinoa is also really great in a salad with avocado and chick peas and caesar dressing...mmmmm.

That sounds like an amazing lunch!

Mmckellen · 02-28-2011, 06:00 AM

I just bought a 3 lb. bag of organic quinoa at Costco. They only sell one brand of this, so it's probably what you would get at any Costco that sells quinoa. The brand is Earthly Choice (I think it was about $9 or so, maybe less) and states on the back that the quinoa is pre-washed "so you don't have to." Likey, likey!