Question about Quinoa

I purchased a box that said it was "A blend of Quinoa and Brown Rice" that I tried to cook today.

The instructions said, "to boil gently with the lid on for 19-22 minutes until the water is absorbed."


I did not feel that was long enough for brown rice though the rice did not look like the brown rice that I have cooked before so I thought it might be the quick-cooking kind of brown rice.

After I turn off the heat, I left the lid on for 5 minutes as the box said.

I have never cooked or eaten quinoa before though I saw some previously that had been cooked.

When I took the lid off the quinoa still looked like it did before I cooked it and the rice was hard so I cooked it another 15 minutes.

Now for my question:

I added 2 cups of water then put the pan in the fridge to "soak" overnight. Will the quinoa plump up if I cook it again tomorrow and if so how long would I try cooking it?  Maybe this is just a lost cause to give the wildlife?

For me brown rice always needs more water and more time I use a 1:3 ratio, might be the altitude. For quinoa 1:2 ratio bring it to a boil and then let sit on low for 25 min. by then all the water is absorbed. I have seen were some soak the quinoa overnight and drain it to remove the bitter/soapy taste. I just rinse it before cooking.

Thanks, Robert for the reply.

I looked at the box a little better and it said the rice was parboiled so I guess that is why it did not look like regular brown rice.

There are three different quinoa so I assume they are white, red, and black.  After adding the water yesterday the quinoa was a little plumper though the rice was still crunchy after the overnight soak.

I cooked it today for another 30 minutes and the quinoa looks a little more like what I remember seeing previously. The rice was almost mush.  The box said it was lemon flavor though I didn't taste lemon.

I learned something new at least with this experience.