How To: Cook Grains
Picture: Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
Hello everyone!
Very often I get asked these questions: How do I cook rice?, How do I cook quinoa?, Are all grains cooked the same way? and more! So, I’ve decided to provide for you a quick, easy to follow guide to cook the different types of grains. Let’s get down to business.
Any grain can be cooked with water, broth or stock depending on what you are making. For example if you are making quinoa to serve with fruit it’s probably better to cook with water, but if you’re cooking it to eat with a chicken salad I would maybe choose to cook it with chicken stock and maybe do a quinoa pilaf.
What is a pilaf?
Pilaf is a method for cooking rice, or any kind of grain. First you saute onions and garlic until translucent, add rice or any grain and saute for 2 min. then add the appropriate amount of water and stock until grains are cooked.
Basic Grain Cooking Method
Almost all grains are cooked the same way: add grains and water to a pot, bring to a boil and simmer until cooked. The changing factor is the grain to liquid ratio.
Barley
1 cup : 3 cups liquid
45 min
Buckwheat
1 cup : 2 cups liquid
20 min
Bulgur
1 cup : 2 cups liquid
10 - 12 min
Cous Cous
Cous cous is actually pasta, but it is often confused with a grain.
1 cup : 2 cups liquid
10 min
Farro
1 cup : 2 1/2 cups liquid
25 - 35 min
Oats, steel cut
1 cup : 4 cups liquid
40 min
Quinoa
1 cup: 2 cups liquid
10 - 12 min
Rice (Brown)
1 cup : 2 1/2 cups liquid
25 - 35 min
Wild Rice
1 cup : 3 cups liquid
45 min gr
I hope you enjoy and find this guide useful.
Much love!
Mariana.