To make perfect quinoa, first you'll want to give the quinoa a good rinse to help get rid of the bitterness. You can do so by placing the dry quinoa in a mesh strainer and rinsing it for a few seconds under cold water. Next, dump the rinsed quinoa in a saucepan with about one and a third cup of water (or broth if you'd like to add more flavor) and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn the stove down to low and cover, allowing it to simmer for about 12-15 minutes. Turn the stove off, fluff the quinoa with a fork and allow to cool while preparing the other ingredients.