FOOD NEWS
Don't Follow Quinoa Box Instructions, Choose The Golden Ratio Instead
BY CLAIRE REDDEN
Whether you boil quinoa or put it in an Instant Pot, it can end up mushy if you don't pay attention to how much water you use, and the amount listed on the box may not be right.
Many quinoa brands instruct you to use a 1:2 ratio of quinoa to water when preparing the grains, but the "golden ratio" is a more reliable guideline that ensures the best results.
The golden ratio is one cup of quinoa to one and three-quarter cups of water. Using these proportions can save you from a pot of mushy, overcooked, gummy quinoa.
Before cooking, you should rinse the grains to remove their saponins, or bitter-tasting compounds, and also toast them in a skillet to develop their flavor.
While it may take a few extra minutes, these two prep steps combined with the golden ratio will give you deliciously nutty and earthy quinoa with a soft and chewy texture.