Best Quinoa Couscous Risotto Recipes

CREAMY QUINOA RISOTTO

Steps:

• Rinse quinoa twice and drain well.
• Pour chicken broth into a saucepan; bring to a boil.
• Melt butter in a separate saucepan over medium-high heat; saute onion and garlic until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir quinoa into onion mixture; cook, stirring frequently, until quinoa is toasted and coated in oil, about 3 minutes.
• Slowly pour wine over quinoa mixture; cook and stir until wine is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Ladle 1/2 cup chicken broth over quinoa mixture; cook, stirring frequently, until absorbed, 3 to 5 minutes. Continue ladling broth, 1/2 cup at a time, over quinoa mixture; cook, stirring frequently, until quinoa is tender and has burst, about 20 minutes. You may not use all the chicken broth.
• Mix Parmesan cheese and cream into quinoa mixture; season with marjoram, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of chicken broth to make quinoa more creamy, if desired.

COUSCOUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Place oil in a 14- by 9- by 2-inch oval dish. Cook, uncovered, at 100 percent in a high-power oven for 2 minutes. Stir in onion and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in spices and cook for 3 minutes.
• Stir in couscous and pour broth over mixture. Cook for 10 minutes.
• Remove from oven. Stir in salt and pepper.

TOMATO-AND-QUINOA RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a food processor, puree the tomatoes and creme fraiche. Transfer to a mixing bowl and use a wooden spoon to beat in all but 2 tablespoons of the basil. Reserve the remaining basil for garnish.
• Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat and saute the shallot until softened, about 2 minutes. Add quinoa and salt and cook, stirring, 2 minutes.
• Add 1/2 cup of the tomato puree at a time to the pan, stirring until the liquid is absorbed. Continue adding the puree until 6 cups have been added.
• Place the quinoa in a serving dish and drizzle the remaining tomato puree around the edge of the bowl. Garnish with the remaining basil.

THREE-CHEESE-AND-MUSHROOM QUINOA RISOTTO

Steps:

• Cover the dried mushrooms with 1 cup hot water, and set aside until softened, 5 to 10 minutes; drain, and chop, reserving the soaking liquid. Put the butter or oil in a large, deep skillet or saucepan over medium heat. When it is hot, add the shallots and dried and fresh mushrooms, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shiitakes begin to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add the quinoa, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it's glossy and coated with butter or oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and then add the wine. Stir, letting the liquid bubble away. Add the porcini soaking liquid, being careful not to pour in any sediment.
• Start adding the stock about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring after each addition and adjusting the heat to maintain a gentle bubble. When the stock is nearly evaporated, add more. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and adding stock as necessary; the mixture should be neither soupy nor dry.
• Begin tasting the quinoa about 20 minutes after you added it; you want it to be tender but not mushy and to have released some of its starch. Once it reaches that stage, after about 25 minutes, stir in the cheeses, along with a little more butter or oil if you like. Stir until the cheeses melt; taste and adjust the seasoning, and serve.