I tried a little experiment the other day…making a risotto-type dish out of quinoa instead of rice. It worked out awesome! The best part is that it’s made in the slow cooker and there’s no stirring, unlike regular risotto which is really labor intensive.
I liked the creamy, comforting texture from this quinoa. I didn’t add anything extra into my quinoa but I think mushrooms would be awesome or red peppers or peas or ham or a million other things. Get creative!
I love quinoa! It’s such an interesting little grain? seed? I’m not really sure what it is. But I do know that it makes me feel full and healthy. I think you’ll like it too…give it a shot!
Recipe for Slow Cooker Quinoa Risotto
Makes 4 servings
Ideal slow cooker size: 3 quart
Cooking time: 2-3 hours on low
3/4 cup diced yellow onion
2 Tbsp butter
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup quinoa, rinsed (the rinsing removes
the bitter flavor)
the bitter flavor)
2 1/2 cups chicken broth or veggie broth
1 cup water
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Any additions you want such as sliced mushrooms,
peppers, peas, ham, spinach etc.
peppers, peas, ham, spinach etc.
1. In a microwave safe bowl combine
onion, butter and garlic. Microwave for 5 minutes, stirring every 90
seconds. Add the mixture to the slow cooker.
onion, butter and garlic. Microwave for 5 minutes, stirring every 90
seconds. Add the mixture to the slow cooker.
2. Add the rinsed quinoa, broth,
water, salt and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir a bit. Add in any
additions you want.
water, salt and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir a bit. Add in any
additions you want.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for about
2-3 hours. Stir and add in the Parmesan. Salt and pepper to taste
and serve immediately.
2-3 hours. Stir and add in the Parmesan. Salt and pepper to taste
and serve immediately.
P.S. Try these other great quinoa dishes as well! Click on the picture to get the recipe:
If I double the recipe and cook it in a 6 qt crockpot would you adjust the cook time at all?
I bet it will be the same time, or very close.
Mine did not turn out looking like risotto at all -_- way to watery… which is a bit of a bummer.
Do you think if I made rice separate and added it, that it would absorb some water ?
Do you mean the quinoa?
This turned out very well and was very good. I did a stovetop saute of the onions and garlic and added just a splash of white wine.
Glad you liked it!
Sadly, this did not turn out very well for me. I added chopped zucchini and red peppers. Maybe the veggies added too much moisture? After a couple hours, it was still super watery, so I transferred it to the stove. But it still ended up too wet. Tasted okay, but looked ugly!