Pressure Cooker Easy Quinoa 🌾✨

This versatile and nutritious quinoa recipe is quick to prepare in a pressure cooker! Perfect as a side dish, salad base, or even a hearty breakfast bowl, this easy quinoa is aromatic and can be customized to suit your taste. With minimal effort, you’ll have fluffy and delicious quinoa ready to pair with any meal.

Ingredients

For the quinoa

• 1 cup of quinoa (rinsed)
• 1 1/2 cups of vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
• Optional: 1 bay leaf for extra flavor

For the mix-ins

• 1 cup of chopped fresh vegetables (bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini)
• 1/4 cup of fresh herbs (parsley or cilantro)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the quinoa: Rinse the quinoa under cold water for about 1-2 minutes to remove the bitter coating (saponins).

2. Sauté: In your pressure cooker, set it to "sauté" mode and add the olive oil. Once hot, throw in the rinsed quinoa and toast for about 2-3 minutes until it starts to smell nutty.

3. Add liquid and spices: Add the broth, garlic powder, salt, cumin, and the bay leaf (if using). Stir to combine.

4. Cook under pressure: Seal the pressure cooker lid and set it to cook on high pressure for 1 minute.

5. Release pressure: After the cooking time is up, allow for a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then do a quick release for any remaining pressure.

6. Fluff and mix: Remove the lid carefully. Discard the bay leaf, and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Mix in your choice of chopped vegetables, fresh herbs, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

🥄 The key to fluffy quinoa is the rinsing step, which removes the saponins that can make it taste bitter. This simple step ensures a delightful flavor in your dish!

Variations

• Spicy kick: Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper for some heat! 🌶️
• Mediterranean flair: Incorporate chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese for a vibrant Mediterranean salad.
• Protein boost: Stir in a can of drained chickpeas after cooking for added protein and texture.
• Breakfast twist: Omit the spices and add a dash of cinnamon and maple syrup instead, then top with sliced banana or berries for a hearty breakfast dish. 🍌🍓

Enjoy your perfectly cooked quinoa as a side or a nutritious base for your favorite bowl! 🥗