Quinoa 365 (4 page)

Blueberry Flax Hot Cereal

This wholesome, hot breakfast cereal has the perfect combination of flavor and nutrients. You can substitute old-fashioned rolled oats for the quick-cooking oats; just add them to the mixture after seven minutes of cooking time. This recipe can easily be made in double or triple quantities.
Serves 1.

2/3 cup (160 mL) water

3 Tbsp (45 mL) quinoa

2 Tbsp (30 mL) quick-cooking rolled oats

1–2 tsp (5–10 mL) maple syrup, honey or brown sugar

1½ tsp (7.5 mL) flax (ground or whole seeds)

2 Tbsp (30 mL) blueberries, fresh (or frozen and thawed)

Milk, half and half cream or vanilla yogurt (optional)

Place the water and quinoa in a small saucepan, bring to a boil and cover. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the oats, cover and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, until the oats are tender. Remove from the heat. Stir in the maple syrup and flax. Fold in the blueberries and top with milk, cream or vanilla yogurt (if using). Serve immediately.

Hot Cranberry Date Cereal

Shake off the chill of cooler mornings with this filling and satisfying hot cereal.
Serves 4–6.

1 cup (250 mL) quinoa

2½ cups (625 mL) water

2/3 cup (160 mL) dried cranberries

¼ cup (60 mL) chopped dates or prunes

1¼ tsp (6 mL) ground flax

1 tsp (5 mL) ground cinnamon

Pinch ground nutmeg

1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract

Combine the quinoa and water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the cranberries, dates, flax, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 17 minutes, until the quinoa is tender. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Serve with brown sugar and milk, rice milk or yogurt, if desired.

Maple Walnut Cereal

Who says you can't have it all? With the highest level of omega-3 fats compared to any other nut, walnuts are another superfood that make this classic combination a smart start to your day.
Serves 1.

2 Tbsp (30 mL) chopped walnuts

1/3 cup (80 mL) quinoa

2/3 cup (160 mL) water

1 Tbsp (15 mL) oat bran

2 tsp (10 mL) maple syrup

Milk, vanilla yogurt or cream (optional)

Place the walnuts in a small saucepan on medium-high heat. Stir frequently until the walnuts are toasted and fragrant (about 3 to 4 minutes). Remove the pan from the heat and let the walnuts cool slightly. Chop and set aside.

Combine the quinoa, water and oat bran in a medium saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 12 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the saucepan on the burner, covered, for an additional 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the walnuts and maple syrup. Transfer to a bowl and top with milk, yogurt or cream (if using).

Raisin Pudding Breakfast Porridge

A healthier version of the popular rice pudding, this dish makes you feel like you're eating dessert for breakfast! You can actually serve this as a dessert by increasing the sweetness to your taste.
Serves 4–6.

2½ cups (625 mL) 2% milk

1 cup (250 mL) quinoa

¼ cup (60 mL) raisins

2 Tbsp (30 mL) maple syrup or honey

¼ tsp (1 mL) ground cinnamon

2 large eggs

½ tsp (2 mL) pure vanilla extract

1 Tbsp (15 mL) butter

Combine the milk, quinoa, raisins, maple syrup and cinnamon in a medium saucepan.

Cover the saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the quinoa is tender, about 5 minutes.

Beat the eggs and vanilla in a small bowl. Temper the eggs by whisking in 1 tsp (5 mL) of the cooked quinoa. Repeat 7 times, whisking between each addition.

Stir the egg mixture into the saucepan. Continue to cook on low heat until the mixture thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Stir in the butter and remove from the heat. Serve immediately.

Raisin Spice Cereal

With raisins, cinnamon and brown sugar, this recipe is a healthy spin on an old favorite.
Serves 1.

1 Tbsp (15 mL) sliced almonds

2/3 cup (160 mL) water

3 Tbsp (45 mL) quinoa

1 Tbsp (15 mL) raisins

¼ tsp (1 mL) ground cinnamon

Pinch ground nutmeg

2 Tbsp (30 mL) quick-cooking rolled oats

2 tsp (10 mL) brown sugar or maple syrup

¼ cup (60 mL) milk, soy milk, half and half cream or vanilla yogurt (optional)

Toast the almonds in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the almonds and set aside.

Combine the water, quinoa, raisins, cinnamon and nutmeg in the same small saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the oats, replace the cover and cook for an additional 6 minutes. Add the almonds and sugar. Top with milk, soy milk, cream or vanilla yogurt (if using). Serve immediately.

Quick Peaches-
and
-Cream Breakfast Cereal

In place of peaches, use any of your favorite fruits for this quick and easy morning blast of nutrition. Adjust the amount of honey to your desired sweetness.
Serves 2.

½ cup (125 mL) quinoa flakes

1 cup (250 mL) milk or soy milk

2 tsp (10 mL) honey or maple syrup

½ tsp (2 mL) ground cinnamon

½ tsp (2 mL) pure vanilla extract

½ cup (125 mL) diced fresh peaches (or canned)

Combine the quinoa flakes, milk, honey and cinnamon in a medium saucepan. Cook uncovered over medium heat, stirring frequently. The quinoa flakes will cook in about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla; add the peaches. Serve immediately.

Super Fiber Cereal

Not your average fiber cereal, this delicious breakfast is packed with so much flavor you won't even notice it's full of fiber! Using a variety of quinoa colors will add to this already bold cereal.
Serves 1.

1 Tbsp (15 mL) sliced or chopped almonds

¼ cup (60 mL) quinoa, any color

½ cup (125 mL) water

1 Tbsp (15 mL) oat bran

½ cup (125 mL) fresh raspberries (or frozen and thawed)

2 tsp (10 mL) maple syrup

Yogurt or milk (optional)

Toast the almonds in a small saucepan on medium heat until fragrant, about 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove the almonds and set aside.

Combine the quinoa, water and oat bran in the same saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn the heat off and leave the covered saucepan on the burner for an additional 6 minutes. Stir in the raspberries, almonds and maple syrup. Serve topped with yogurt or milk (if using).

Overnight Quinoa Cereal

Make this hearty breakfast the night before and wake up to a nutritious bowl of quinoa and oats along with your favorite combination of dried or fresh fruit. Sleep late? Ready to go, it makes a healthy and light lunch or midmorning snack.
Serves 2.

½ cup (125 mL) large-flake rolled oats

¼ cup (60 mL) quinoa flour

1 Tbsp (15 mL) brown sugar

¼ tsp (1 mL) ground cinnamon

1 cup (250 mL) plain yogurt

¼ tsp (1 mL) pure vanilla extract

¼ cup (60 mL) chopped almonds