Cooking Sprouted Rice & Quinoa: A Healthy Blend

Sprouted rice and quinoa blends are a tasty and healthy alternative to plain rice. This dish can be made on a stovetop or in a rice cooker, Instant Pot, or pressure cooker. The blend typically consists of sprouted brown rice, sprouted red rice, quinoa, and wild rice. The cooking method is similar to cooking rice: add 1 cup of the blend to 1.75 cups of water, cook for about 25 minutes or until the water is absorbed, and then let it rest covered for an additional 10 minutes. For stovetops, bring the mixture to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and then let it steam off the heat. For rice cookers, simply add the ingredients, turn it on, and let it cook automatically.

Stovetop method: add 1 cup of the blend to 1.75 cups of water, cook for 25 minutes, then rest for 10 minutes

To cook sprouted rice and quinoa blend on a stovetop, first measure out 1 cup of the blend. Rinsing the blend before cooking is optional but can be done up to four times if desired. Rinsing removes impurities and excess starch, resulting in fluffier rice after cooking.

Next, add the blend to a pot with 1.75 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a low heat and cover the pot. Allow the blend to simmer for 25 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. After 25 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and let it rest, still covered, for an additional 10 minutes.

After resting, your sprouted rice and quinoa blend should be ready to serve!

Rice cooker method: use the same ratio of blend to water as the stovetop method, cook for 15-30 minutes, then let it steam

To cook sprouted rice and quinoa blend in a rice cooker, follow these steps:

Firstly, prepare your sprouted rice and quinoa blend by rinsing it in cold water. Place the blend in a fine mesh strainer or sieve and hold it under running water, swishing it around with your hands to ensure it is thoroughly cleaned. This step is important as it will remove the seed's bitter coating. If you don't have a fine enough sieve, you can line a colander with cheesecloth or coffee filters.

Next, prepare your rice cooker. Grease the insert of the rice cooker with a tablespoon of oil, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or butter. This step is crucial as it will prevent the blend from sticking to the bottom of the rice cooker. Use a sheet of paper towel to distribute the oil evenly.

Now, it's time to add the ingredients to the rice cooker. Place the rinsed sprouted rice and quinoa blend into the rice cooker, along with the water or broth. The ratio of blend to water should be the same as the stovetop method, which is typically 1 cup of blend to 1 3/4 cups of water. You can also add salt to taste, usually around 1/2 teaspoon, to enhance the flavour. Give the mixture a stir to combine the ingredients.

Close the lid of the rice cooker and turn it on. If your rice cooker has different settings, select the "white rice" setting. If your rice cooker only has one setting, simply turn it on and let it cook. The cooking time will vary depending on your rice cooker, but it should take between 15 to 30 minutes.

Once the rice cooker has finished cooking, let the blend sit and steam for a few minutes before opening the lid. This allows any remaining moisture to be absorbed and ensures that the blend is fully cooked. After about 5 minutes, open the lid and fluff the blend gently with a fork to separate any grains that may be stuck together.

Now your sprouted rice and quinoa blend is ready to be served! You can serve it plain or incorporate it into various dishes. It goes well with salads, grain bowls, and chilli. You can also customise your blend by using vegetable or chicken broth instead of water for added flavour.

Instant Pot method: add 1 cup of the blend, 2 cups of water, and olive oil to the pot, pressure cook on high for 18 minutes, then release the steam

Instant Pot Method for Cooking Sprouted Rice and Quinoa Blend

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sprouted rice and quinoa blend
• 2 cups of water
• Olive oil

Method:

• Add 1 cup of the sprouted rice and quinoa blend to your Instant Pot.
• Pour in 2 cups of water.
• Add a dash of olive oil to the pot.
• Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and ensure the Sealing Valve is in the Seal position.
• Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 18 minutes.
• Once the cooking time is complete, turn off the Instant Pot.
• Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes.
• Quick-release any remaining steam by moving the Sealing Valve back to the Vent position.

Your sprouted rice and quinoa blend is now ready to be served! This method is a convenient and efficient way to cook your rice and quinoa blend, eliminating the need for constant monitoring and freeing up space on your stovetop. Enjoy your delicious and nutritious meal!

Pressure cooker method: add the blend, water or broth, and olive oil to the pot, pressure cook for 18 minutes, then release the steam

Firstly, gather your ingredients: you will need the sprouted rice and quinoa blend, water or broth, and olive oil. The blend can be made up of sprouted brown rice, sprouted red rice, quinoa, and wild rice. You can also add salt to taste, but this is optional.

Next, prepare your pressure cooker by spraying the inside of the pot with olive oil. This step is important to prevent the rice and quinoa blend from sticking to the pot. Then, add the blend, water or broth, and olive oil to the pot. The ratio of blend to water/broth is typically 1:1.75 or 1:2, so for every cup of the blend, you will need 1.75 or 2 cups of liquid. You can also add minced garlic to enhance the flavor, as well as red pepper flakes, roasted garlic, lemon juice, or lemon zest.

Once you have added all the ingredients to the pot, secure the lid, and set the pressure cooker to high pressure. Let the blend pressure cook for 18 minutes. After the cooking time is complete, turn off the heat and allow the pressure to release naturally for about 5 minutes. Then, manually release any remaining steam by moving the sealing valve back to the vent position.

And that's it! Your sprouted rice and quinoa blend should be ready to serve. You can fluff it with a fork or rice paddle before serving, and it goes well with stir-fries, salads, grain bowls, and chili. Enjoy!

Freezing the blend: cool the blend to room temperature, portion it into bags, and store it in the freezer for up to one month

Freezing your sprouted rice and quinoa blend is a great way to save time and ensure you always have a healthy meal option on hand. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Cool the Blend to Room Temperature

Allow the cooked blend to cool to room temperature before freezing. This is crucial to prevent a mushy texture when defrosting. You can do this by letting the blend sit for at least 4 hours or spreading it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to speed up the cooling process. It should take about 20-30 minutes to cool completely.

Step 2: Portion the Blend

Use a measuring cup to portion the cooled blend into bags. You can choose to portion it into 1-cup or 2-cup increments, depending on how you typically use it in recipes. For example, if you usually make quinoa salads or bowls, 1-cup or 2-cup portions might be ideal.

Step 3: Bag and Seal the Blend

Place the portioned blend into resealable plastic bags, heavy-duty freezer bags, or reusable silicone bags. Gently press the bags to remove as much air as possible before sealing them tightly. This step is important to prevent freezer burn and ensure the blend stays fresh.

Step 4: Label and Freeze

Label each bag with the date and the amount of blend it contains. This will help you keep track of when the blend was frozen and how much is in each bag. Place the bags in the freezer and let them freeze for at least 24 hours before using.

Your sprouted rice and quinoa blend will stay fresh in the freezer for up to one month. When you're ready to use it, simply thaw it on the counter for 45-60 minutes or warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop. Now you can enjoy your pre-cooked blend anytime!

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