Rinse the Quinoa

• Start by thoroughly rinsing your quinoa. This crucial step removes the natural coating called saponin, which can impart a bitter taste. Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water for 1-2 minutes, gently rubbing the grains between your fingers.

Prepare the Cooking Vessel

• Transfer the rinsed and drained quinoa to your rice cooker or a medium saucepan. Add 2 cups of water and the chopped orange rind or zest. If desired, add a pinch of salt for flavor.

Cook the Quinoa

Using a Rice Cooker:

• Simply close the lid and press the cook button. The rice cooker will automatically switch to warm mode when the quinoa is done.

On the Stovetop:

• Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium heat.
• Once boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover the pan
• Simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
• Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 10 minutes.

Fluff and Serve

• After cooking, remove the orange rind if used. Gently fluff the quinoa with a fork to separate the grains and serve.