Cook Time

• Cooking brown rice and quinoa together using any method might seem counterintuitive because quinoa cooks in about half the time of brown rice. Using a rice cooker to cook the two is surprisingly effective, though. The quinoa cooks more quickly than the brown rice, but doesn't become mushy. When the rice is soft, the dish is done -- typically in 30 to 45 minutes.

Benefits

• One of the main reasons to try adding quinoa to your brown rice is for its nutrition. Quinoa is actually a seed rather than a grain and it packs a nutritional wallop. It contains all nine amino acids and six grams of protein per one-third cup serving. Not everyone likes the taste or texture of quinoa, though. Hide it with brown rice and your family will never know that they're getting an extra dose of nutrition.

Method

• Quinoa requires the same treatment as rice -- one part grain to two parts water or broth. Once you've rinsed the quinoa, you can add it to the rice cooker along with the rice and the liquid. Start with just a few tablespoons of quinoa to 1 cup of rice initially. If you like the flavor, you can increase the quinoa to as much as one part quinoa to one part brown rice. Set the rice cooker and cook until the water is absorbed and both the quinoa and the brown rice are tender and fluffy. Add a little salt to the water or use a broth for extra flavor.

Uses

• A pot of brown rice and quinoa makes quick work of dinner, as well as tasty leftovers for breakfast and lunch dishes. Whip up a fast stir-fry or curry, or add the rice mixture to beans, grilled chicken and sauteed onions and peppers for a tasty burrito filling. Make a warm salad with onions, dried cranberries, a vinaigrette and the rice mixture. Brown rice and quinoa makes a delicious breakfast cereal when warmed and served with cream or milk, honey, nuts and fresh or dried fruit.