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Quinoa

Quinoa

Don’t let the long stove cook time hold you back from enjoying this nutty, protein-packed grain. Quinoa cooks quickly in the microwave and forms the perfect base for grain bowls or saucy entrees. Make sure to use dry quinoa for this recipe — pre-soaking the quinoa will make it more likely to overflow while cooking.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well.

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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w
Power level
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Certain foods cook best in the microwave at lower power levels. 

Different microwaves have different settings. See your microwave manual (or look it up online) to learn how to change your microwave’s power level.

For many microwaves: enter the cook time, press the “Power” (or “Power Level”) button, and select a number between 1-10. Other microwaves may require selecting the Power Level first, and then entering the cook time.

Microwaves list power levels in different ways. Here’s a guide to help you adjust:

PL 10 = 100% = High (default)
PL 9 = 90% = High
PL 8 = 80% = Med-High
PL 7 = 70% = Med-High
PL 6 = 60% = Medium
PL 5 = 50% = Medium
PL 4 = 40% = Med-Low
PL 3 = 30% = Med-Low
PL 2 = 20% = Low
PL 1 = 10% = Low

You will know if the power level has been successfully changed if you hear periodic changes in the microwave’s tone after it begins cooking.

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Cook Times

Grain ½ cup1 cup1 ½ cups2 cups
Water ¾ cup1 ⅓ cups2 cups2 ⅔ cups
Time 10 mins10 mins12 mins12 mins

Max Quantities

Medium Deep Dish: 1 cup 

Large Deep Dish: 2 cups

Instructions

  1. Add quinoa to an Anyday deep dish. Stir and spread quinoa in an even layer. Cover with the lid (knob lifted). Don't let quinoa sit in the liquid for too long before cooking.

  2. Cook in the microwave at the power level above for the time listed, or until the water has been absorbed and quinoa is tender (try one!). If still is still too hard, add more time at the power level listed in 1-minute increments.

  3. Rest for 2 minutes with the lid on to allow quinoa to gently finish steaming.

Cooking Tips

  • Always use an Anyday Deep Dish to cook grains (the water will likely overflow in the Shallow Dishes). Do not cook more than the max quantities listed above.
  • If the lid pops up a bit and a few kernels escape through the vent during cooking, don’t worry! This is normal when making quinoa in the microwave.
  • If it’s taking longer than expected, increase the power level by 1. If it’s bubbling over (more than a few kernels escaping), decrease the power level by 1.
  • To cook quantities not listed in the table, use a quinoa:water ratio of 1:1⅓.

Changing your power level

Did you know your microwave has different power levels? The default is full power, but lower power levels are helpful for certain foods like grains, which tend to bubble over if cooked at full power, or custards, which require gentle simmering.

Different microwaves have different settings. See your microwave manual (or look it up online) to learn how to change your microwave’s power level.

For many microwaves: enter the cook time, press the “Power” (or “Power Level”) button, and select a number between 1-10. Other microwaves may require selecting the Power Level first, and then entering the cook time.

Microwaves list power levels in different ways. Here’s a guide to help you adjust:

PL 10 = 100% = High (default)
PL 9 = 90% = High
PL 8 = 80% = Med-High
PL 7 = 70% = Med-High
PL 6 = 60% = Medium
PL 5 = 50% = Medium
PL 4 = 40% = Med-Low
PL 3 = 30% = Med-Low
PL 2 = 20% = Low
PL 1 = 10% = Low

You will know if the power level has been successfully changed if you hear periodic changes in the microwave’s tone after it begins cooking.