Simmer Quinoa With This Canned Ingredient For A Subtly Sweet Flavor

You will never go back to cooking quinoa in water again after tasting how sensational it is, cooked in canned coconut milk instead. If you've ever had coconut rice, popular across Southeast Asian and Latin American cuisines, you'll recognize the same subtly sweet, slightly coconutty taste. However, quinoa is very different from rice, and has a major edge on flavor, texture, and nutritional value.

Quinoa's naturally nutty flavor is amplified when toasted, and once fully cooked, its slightly chewy. When simmered in thick, creamy coconut milk, it creates a melt-in-your-mouth kind of bite. Quinoa is also one of the few plant-based ingredients that is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids, crucial for cell-building and repair throughout the body. Per cooked cup, quinoa provides eight grams of protein, almost double the amount found in rice, five grams of fiber, and it's rich in B vitamins, particularly B9 (folate) as well as minerals like copper, iron, magnesium, and manganese.

Coconut milk quinoa can make a great alternative to oats for the heartiest breakfast bowl — and it can even be made into a dessert. However, don't underestimate this flavor profile when it comes to making killer savory dishes with just a hint of sweetness.

For sweet or savory coconut milk quinoa, the process starts the same way: use a 1:2 ratio of quinoa to canned coconut milk, including added water (One cup of quinoa to one 13-ounce can of coconut milk, plus ¼ cup of water), which is somewhat similar to the "golden ratio" for cooking perfect rice. Rinse the quinoa if specified on the package directions. It's optional, but highly recommend, to first lightly toast the quinoa on low heat until golden brown; then, adding the coconut milk, water, and a few pinches of salt, and bringing it to a boil. Lower the heat, place a lid on the pot, and let everything simmer until the quinoa has absorbed the liquid and looks tender.

Once it's done cooking, the world is your oyster — or coconut, in this case — when it comes to adding flavorings and toppings. You can also certainly enjoy coconut milk quinoa without anything extra, as it's flavorful enough on its own. For a refreshing take on oatmeal, add mix-ins that complement the nutty, coconut taste. Consider a dash of vanilla or almond extract, cinnamon, and honey; fruit toppings like bananas, berries, or mango; nuts such as walnuts or pecans; and definitely a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes and a sprinkle of chocolate chips.

For a savory rice alternative that's perfect to enjoy with burrito bowls or your favorite curry, add a few squeezes of lime juice and zest along with finely chopped cilantro. For amplified Southeast Asian flavors, add fresh garlic, ginger, scallions, and basil leaves, topped with chopped peanuts for a little crunch.