Dehydrating quinoa?

[Hiker816]

Hi,

One of my very favorite backpacking foods is quinoa, which I use instead of rice in most dishes. The problem is that it takes a relatively long time to cook, and does not rehydrate as well as pasta or rice (especially instant rice) by just adding boiling water--it has to simmer for a few minutes. Has anyone tried dehydrating cooked quinoa, then rehydrating it on the trail? I figured I would ask before I experiment and risk ruining a perfectly good batch of it.

Thanks,
Hiker 816

[Slowgoer]

Let us know how it comes out.

[sarbar]

I haven't tried it, but I think you should go do a batch and let us know

[Lanthar]

Originally Posted by sarbar

I haven't tried it, but I think you should go do a batch and let us know

Ditto. I'd like to hear the results.

[sarbar]

If I have time, I might pick up a box of Q. this afternoon, after work, and maybe run it thru the dryer. Be fun to try it!
Btw, a bit off topic, but the Quinoa pasta sold is really good. My dad was on a gluten free diet for many years, and we ate it a lot.

[Hiker816]

Originally Posted by sarbar

If I have time, I might pick up a box of Q. this afternoon, after work, and maybe run it thru the dryer. Be fun to try it!
Btw, a bit off topic, but the Quinoa pasta sold is really good. My dad was on a gluten free diet for many years, and we ate it a lot.

Awesome! Otherwise it would probably take me a while to run the experiment myself as my dehydrator is hidden in storage somewhere.

[Laurie]

I picked up a box yesterday (felt inspired) and it is on the dehydrator as we speak. It will be interesting to compare results between the different dehydrator brands.

I take Quinoa quite a bit. The brand I buy only has a 15 minute cook time so I don't mind the extra time and fuel just to have a change from rice/pasta/couscous. It makes a wonderful breakfast and is great as a salad base.

[Hiker816]

Originally Posted by Laurie

I picked up a box yesterday (felt inspired) and it is on the dehydrator as we speak. It will be interesting to compare results between the different dehydrator brands.
<snip>

Hi Laurie,

Any word on how the dehydrated quinoa turned out when rehydrated?

Thanks!

[Laurie]

Originally Posted by Hiker816

Hi Laurie,

Any word on how the dehydrated quinoa turned out when rehydrated?

Thanks!

It dehydrated nicely but I haven't rehydrated it yet. Will try that out for dinner some night soon and get back to you. With having 300 recipes for this book I've had to do my rehydration bit by bit so I don't waste the foods.

I did test instant Quinoa and it wasn't all that great so hopefully the dehydrated version worked out better.

[Laurie]

well it worked - I basically did it the same way you do a rice - pre-cook and dry... was fabulous

[PBF Support]