Quinoa.... Is it meant to be 'sludgey'? (Franny or other quinoa-eaters...)

[EllHell]

Did quinoa for the first time tonight. Followed instructions on packet. Rinsed in cold water. Then put into cold water (in correct quantities as per packet - think it was 2 pints/200g) and boiled for 15 mins. Packet said water should have been absorbed by then, but it wasn't, so boiled some more. Then got fed up and drained it in the sieve. It was not particularly nice... a bit like eating mud with random bits of grit in. Surely it's not meant to be like that... is it? (If it is, fine... won't be buying that again! ) What have I done wrong?

I've only had it a couple of times, but it's been more like couscous in texture. I can't remember what the quinoa/water ration is.

I'm sure someone more knowledgable will tear themselves away from their mooncup-knitting to help you!

boak. it always had the texture, taste and quality of bird seed to me.

give it a miss.

That sounds like too much water to me; my quinoa box says to use 2 cups water to one cup rinsed quinoa. It comes out like couscous, a bit bland but nice with tasty things. I like it in a tortilla wrap with chili bean sauce etc
The first time I got quinoa, I accidently bought quinoa flakes, and that was pretty vile when I tried cooking it; just..sludge

Hmmm... sort of bird seed in porridge . I was expecting something more like couscous, SC, so was disappointed.

(And poor Mr Ellbell is now home from work and hungry - late shift today - and I've saved him some so he's going to be disappointed.)

Should definitely be two parts water to one part quinoa. Bring to boil then simmer for 15 mins and stand to absorb any excess water. Should be fluffy, nutty and not gritty!

Mine comes out like couscous, but a bit grittier. It needs to be mixed with something yummy to make a nice meal.

Our surprise hit lunch of the year was quinoa mixed with tuna, grated cheese and tomato ketchup. Both kids loved it.

Even more surprisingly, it was invented by DH, when I was late home for lunch one Saturday. Never in a million years did I expect to come in and find them all guzzling quinoa. Chips, yes. Chocolate, yes. Quinoa - no way.

Now my 2 year old looks hopefully at the cupboard and says "Noah, Mummy?" It takes all sorts ....

DP is Peruvian and cooks quinoa regularly but i cant get a straight answer out of him. He says 'cook it in lots of water and try it, when it's cooked drain it'. He says it's 'trial by error' thinks he means trail AND error! He says you have to 'be there' i.e. stand over it in case it needs more water. Sometimes he makes it 'sludgy' with potato pieces in and chopped feta added at end, (add some milk) sometimes more like couscous. Sometimes half and half with rice, sun dried tomatoes and sliced mushrooms 'like a risotto' he says...
don't ask me, he doesn't let me near the cooker....

LOL @ 'trial by error'. That was definitely my quinoa!

The different possible consistencies are a bit like polenta, then? (Not that I've 100% got my head round polenta either, mind you.)

Dh has just described my effort as 'like not-very-nice wallpaper paste'. (Not sure what nice wallpaper paste would taste like.)

I think it has a fab texture - a slight bite to it and a very interesting nutty / soft texture. I am not quite sure what has happened here. It sounds too crunchy, perhaps undercooked? Had it started to separate with a little tail unravelling from the curly bit? It should be coming apart slightly when the grain is properly cooked.

How cool to have a Peruvian dh!
I cook it a lot and love it.
I do it like rice.
Simmer until water nearly gone then put the lid on,turn heat off and leave undisturbed for about 15 mins.That always works.

Hmmm... might try with less water and do the leaving to stand thing. It had started to come unravelled, so think it was cooked enough.

(Moondog... btw that book of mine that we talked about a couple of months ago is now out. If you can remember what it was about, you can find it on Amazon by typing in the subject.)

lol @ moondog, yes, maybe it was cool but the novelty wore off some time ago...
Just thought he might have an insight as it's an Andean grain...

Does he wear a poncho and play the panpipes??

Really now,where di you meet him?
They eat guinea pigs don't they?
What is other Peruvian food like?
Hoe do they eat thier quinoa generally?

He would NEVER wear a poncho or play the pan pipes being a middleclass urban Peruvian from Lima, well maybe he'd wear a poncho if it was really cold and he was in the Andes but not as a default daily garment.
We met in Lima. Guinea pig 'tastes like chicken', I tried it. Other Peruvian food is vastly varied and all delicious. Many influences and regional variations, African, criol, chinese, jungle, 'nouvue (sp) andean'....

Sounds very interesting.
I quite go for that South American look. Does he have very straight black hair?

no, he has wavy black hair and a built-in tan. He is quite gorgeous i suppose and aging rather well... exept for the slight paunch

Sounds splendid (God am becoming the letch of MN these days.) I haven't seen my dh for 6 weeks.Not that you'd notice eh?

where's he gone?

Tajikistan

now, THAT'S exotic