Need Advice Quinoa Question Quick!

Hey gourmets! Like LilPea! I am making a quinoa dish for the first time. (cold mediterranean) Is it best to make and serve within an hour so it's fresher or make earlier in the day and let chill for awhile? I don't know what time does to quinoa texture...
thanks!

 

I never had a problem with letting it sit for awhile and as a matter of fact, I love it as a cold salad dish the next day. It should not get soggy.

 

Redon - Yes you called...LOL.

Tip on texture of quinoa (and by the way SO GLAD you have discovered this grain)...I find cooking it about 30 seconds beyond the directions, drain it immediately and place it in the freezer lightly covered for 20 minutes and then move it to the fridge. This will keep it the perfect texture.


...it depends on what type of dressing you are putting on it, for example I make a quinoa dish with all the tabouli ingredients and I serve it ice cold with fresh mint, tahini and cucumbers...and this dish is so much better if it is made a day in advance, because it soaks up flavors.

...if you are doing a vinegar based dressing - my suggestion would be NOT to make it ahead of time otherwise the quinoa will taste like vinegar, but bring it out of the fridge an hour prior to service...so it comes up to room temp (which softens the vinegar flavor).

Hope that helps.

 

thank you jblnd- that's good tpo know on the texture!

and pea- I KNEW you would give me the goods! It IS balsamic vinegar based, with chives, sweet peppers, kalamata olives, parsley and feta. there's some other stuff- I just can't remember it all!

THANK YOU GUYS SO SO MUCH! I will report on how it turns out.

 

because i know you are all DYING to know.... the quinoa was fantastic! love the texture- thanks again pea- no musihiness at all! Next day- even BETTER. i plopped a smashed avocado mixed with olive oil, salt, lime juice and garlic in the middle of the serving dish and surrounded it with the quinoa- i should have taken a pic! i will try it pea's way next time with cukes and tahini.... that sounds delish.

here's the recipe i used- for the most part- if anyone wants to give it a try. Bought the organic quinoa from Trader Joes- it's even a gluten free food- good for some friends who need G-FREE food.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mediterranean-Quinoa-Salad/Detail.aspx