homemade puffed quinoa

How to Make Puffed Quinoa at Home

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Although it is essential to enjoy a wide variety of foods, quinoa has undoubtedly more fiber and protein. Thus, head to head, quinoa is a far better choice.

In addition, quinoa is also deemed a safe gluten-free, whole-grain selection for people dealing with celiac disease – a disorder where your body cannot put up with gluten. It is not just perfect for people following a gluten-free diet as it is a complete protein; it is best for vegetarians and vegans, too.

 How Do You Cook Quinoa?

The preparation of quinoa all depends on the form of quinoa you are cooking. The natural grain itself may take about 15 minutes to cook. The black one may take potentially longer. Quinoa flakes take no more than two minutes to cook, making them the best on-the-go breakfast.

Quinoa works adequately on its own or as a good alternate for rice. You can also toss other ingredients with it. The subtle flavor and its fluffy texture make it easy to spice it up with different flavors. Plus, its mild taste also makes it acceptable to be served savory or sweet.

Cooking with Quinoa

There are three easy ways to cook with quinoa.

Roasting.

Heat it with a bit of olive oil in the pan and savor the subtle and nutty aroma.

Boiling.

Boil the quinoa in water or broth. You may use two parts liquid and one part quinoa in a saucepan. Cover the pan and allow it to boil. Once it boils, turn the heat down and let it finish cooking for 15 more minutes. Add some salt according to taste.

After cooking, take the pot off the stove and rest with the lid for five more minutes. Then, stir thoroughly. Let it sit for another 5 minutes before taking the excess water off.

Baking.

Quinoa can only be used as a minor component in the dough since it lacks the adhesive protein essential in the baking process. Aside from quinoa flour, whole grain quinoa can also be used for baking, which is processed into breakfast cereal or puffed rice.

Preparing quinoa seeds can be done in different ways, too.

Soaking

As with most things, it is essential to wash quinoa before cooking. This step lets it expand and allow for the breakdown of the phytic acid it contains. To do this, put the quinoa in a sieve and put it under running water. Then, let it soak in a bowl for no more than 10 minutes. Repeat the first process to rinse it.

Sprouting

The most effective method of breaking down the phytic acid in quinoa is to allow it to germinate. Since the seeds naturally take time to generate, a little preparation and planning are necessary. The first step is to let it soak for 2 to 4 hours. Then, put it in a special germination bag or an empty pot and let it germinate for 12 to 48 hours. After which, rinse the sprouted seeds.

It is best to remember that quinoa may still contain traces of saponin that give off a bitter and soapy taste even when packaged. To be sure that no saponin traces are left, wash the seeds thoroughly before preparing them by simply rinsing them off in a sieve under running water.

Conclusion

Out of the many snacks promising to be healthy, puffed quinoa is the most straightforward, most stress-free, and unbelievably tasty snack. What’s more, is how easily it can be prepared compared to others. Furthermore, you can easily adjust how much of it to take on the servings you prepare.

Another excellent advantage of quinoa puff snacks is how you can store them for at least two weeks on the kitchen counter. Just be sure to keep it in an airtight container. You’re sure to have something handy to top your cereal, salad, or yogurt!

cooked quinoa  

Image credit: Pixabay

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can you puff quinoa in an air fryer?

A: Not a lot have tried it because its physical structure does not make it feasible. Quinoa seeds are tiny. Therefore, they might obstruct the air fryer’s filter—the same thing with an air popper where quinoa gets thrown off because they are lightweight.

Q: Can you puff quinoa in the microwave?

A: It is a possible and theoretically feasible method. But, the stovetop method remains more reliable and successful.

 

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