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Although you may not have heard of it, quinoa is an ancient seed that has actually been grown for over 5,000 years. It was once called the “gold of the Incas” and was a staple of their diets. Many experts believe that the might of the Incan armies was due in part to the fact that soldiers took “war balls” made of quinoa and fats into battle with them.

Quinoa is nutritionally dense and loaded with magnesium, copper, calcium, riboflavin, potassium and manganese. What makes it especially unique is the fact that it is a complete vegetarian protein, providing the body with all of the essential amino acids. It also is a great source of slow burning carbohydrates and fiber.

Quinoa is great because it can be enjoyed in so many different ways. Not only is it great as a breakfast cereal but it also works well in soups, salads and stir fry recipes. Here is how to get started cooking quinoa.

Quinoa can be prepared in the same way that you would prepare rice. You do need to rinse it completely before you cook it. The outside is covered in a substance called saponin, which is very bitter. If it is not rinsed off it will make your meal taste bitter and can also cause gastrointestinal distress. To remove the saponin, simply rinse the quinoa for three or four minutes under a steady stream of warm water.

Depending on what you are making, there are a number of options for what to cook quinoa in. Broths work well for savory dishes and if you are making a sweet dish you can experiment with different juices. Of course, you can also use water.

You may prepare quinoa in several different ways but the most common method requires twice as much liquid as quinoa. Bring it to a boil and then lower the heat to simmer. Allow it to simmer covered for between fifteen and eighteen minutes. Take the pot off the heat and let is sit with the lid on for another five minutes.