Quinoa Cooked!

Here’s how to cook quinoa:

• Measure one cup of quinoa and place in a fine mesh sieve (hopefully you have a sieve with ample room). Suspend the sieve containing the quinoa over a bowl that is larger than the sieve. Run cool water over the quinoa, allowing it to drain (and if there is room in your sieve, help it along with a little stir). When the water appears clear in the bowl, you are done. (You have just rinsed off saponin, a white powder that protects the seed from varmints in the field, but causes a bitter taste if not rinsed off before cooking.)
• Put the rinsed quinoa in a saucepan with 2 cups of water or broth (chicken or vegetable) and bring to a boil. When you reach a boil (the water will be very active), place the lid on the pan and simmer (turn the heat down so that the water is only a little active) for 15 minutes (you have your timer… right?).
• Turn off the heat and let sit with the lid on for about 10-15 minutes. You know that your seeds are cooked when you see the little spirals
• Stir in a little butter or some olive oil and adjust the salt and pepper to taste. This is also a great time to toss in some peas and sautéed onions. That, or anything else you fancy!

If you are interested, here's a link to a recipe for Quinoa with Spring Veg on Epicurious