Quinoa

Know this

Every quinoa seed is coated in saponin, a bitter compound the plant uses to keep birds off. Most boxed quinoa is sold pre-rinsed and most of it is not rinsed enough. Chef secret: thirty seconds under cold running water in a fine sieve is the whole difference between nutty and bitter. It is also one of the few plant foods carrying all nine essential amino acids.

Cook

Toast the drained seed in a dry pan until it smells like popcorn, then 1 part quinoa to 1.5 parts liquid. Rest it off the heat for ten minutes before you touch it.

Season

Harvested in autumn. Keeps in the pantry all year.

Best pairings

Lemon · Feta · Mint · Roasted squash · Almond · Scallion

Also worth trying: cumin, black bean, avocado, cilantro, pomegranate, kale, preserved lemon, tahini.

Recommended wine