On the mornings when I don't have eggs and sauerkraut (have you tried that yet?), I have this. Quinoa + Banana + Cinnamon = Perfect Porridge-like Alternative-to-Oatmeal Cozy Breakfast. It tastes like warm banana bread in a bowl. Sometimes I make it for a late night dessert, too. I always have cooked quinoa in my fridge to throw this salad together or make a veggie bowl, so this is really fast and easy. We've never been really into oatmeal in the morning- or anything soupy for that matter. I make this quinoa more sticky than soupy, so it feels like I'm biting into something.
This is on our stove so often that it's become a non-recipe in my mind. I don't think, I just make it. I'm really having to think to get the recipe out for you guys! Here we go:
Banana Cinnamon Quinoa
a hearty breakfast porridge
1 T. coconut oil or butter
1 ripe banana, mashed
1 heaping cup leftover cooked quinoa (soaked*)
1/4 tsp. sea salt, or more to taste
1-2 tsp. cinnamon
1 spoonful of almond butter for topping
Heat oil or butter in a small pot over low heat. Stir in cooked quinoa, salt, and cinnamon. When this mixture is warmed through, stir in the mashed banana. If it looks too wet, add more quinoa to the mix. Stir a few times until heated through. Swirl in almond butter and eat while steamy. Makes 1 hearty serving.
Variations I've tried and liked: add a dash of vanilla, a scoop of shredded coconut, walnuts, a bit of coconut milk if you like it more like cereal, a drizzle of maple syrup or honey, or try it with rice instead of quinoa!
*How to soak and cook quinoa: Rinse 2 cups of quinoa under running water for at least 1 minute (it has a bitter coating). Add to a glass bowl and cover with 2 cups warm filtered water. Stir in 2 T. of lemon juice, whey, kefir, or raw cider vinegar. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 8 hours. Drain and rinse well. Add quinoa to a pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Turn heat down to low and let simmer about 15 minutes.
6 comments:
Dearest Summer!
How I missed you this summertime while you were at camp! I am over-the-moon-happy that you are back! Hadley is as sweet as pie, no sweeter!
I would *so~love* to know why you suggest soaking quinoa instead of just cooking it...is it as you stated, to remove the bitterness?
Please keep your amazing recipes coming forth--they are just the very best!
Peace, happiness, joy, and love to you and your little family always, Mary Ann
I'm exited to try this! I got quinoa a while ago because my sister wouldn't stop talking about how good it was, but I've only tried cooking it once and I didn't very much like it. I'll try your soaking technique.
Hi Nicole! You might like it this way, since the banana overpowers the quinoa taste :) Quinoa does have a strong flavor, but I've acquired a taste for it!
Hi Mary Ann!
Thank you for your kind words! Ok, soaking- I soak my grains because it makes them more digestible and increases nutritional value! You can read about it here:
http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2012/01/whats-the-fuss-about-soaking-grains-explanation-and-research-shared.html
Hope this helps!
Oh, yum! I am so excited to try this. I have never even thought of using quinoa as an oatmeal substitute. I think this will be fantastic for the crisp fall and cold winter mornings that are coming up.
I soaked my quinoa last night and it's cooking up now. Can't wait to have it for breakfast tomorrow - thank you!