Almost Instant Breakfast Quinoa

By Jen, on April 3rd, 2011%


I love starting the day with a bowl of warm breakfast cereal. Hearty and soothing- it fills me up and curbs my hunger. But, I don’t always have the time to make a pot of steel cut oats or fresh simmered breakfast quinoa. I can spare 2 minutes…so Almost Instant Breakfast Quinoa is my hot cereal of choice.

It’s ready in a snap because this breakfast quinoa recipe starts with cooked quinoa. I often have a bowl of cooked quinoa in the fridge to use for quick dinners like quinoa salad, or to serve with baked tofu or steamed veggies. Turns out, it’s also great for breakfast.

Here’s an easy recipe for breakfast quinoa. First, you’ll need to make a pot of quinoa. Do this the night before.

How to Cook Quinoa
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water

Place quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. Rinse and drain quinoa. Combine quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to boiling. Cover and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook 10 to 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender. Makes about 4 cups cooked quinoa.

Next, transfer the cooked quinoa to a storage container. Cover and refrigerate until breakfast time. After a good night’s sleep, get up and make a bowl of breakfast quinoa.

Almost Instant Breakfast Quinoa
2/3 cup cooked quinoa
1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk or soymilk
Pure maple syrup, sucanat or brown sugar
Desired toppings such as fruit, nuts, seeds and spices

In a 2-cup microwave-safe bowl combine quinoa and almond milk. Microwave on HIGH power for about 1 minute until hot and steamy. Sweeten to taste with maple syrup. Add desired toppings. Makes 1 serving.

Topping ideas for breakfast quinoa:

  • Mango, almonds, coconut and cinnamon
  • Blueberries, raspberries, walnuts and ground flaxseed
  • Diced fresh apple, banana slices and peanut butter or almond butter
  • Dried cranberries, golden raisins, pistachios, cinnamon and ginger

Recipe Link:
Breakfast Quinoa from Martha Stewart

Product Link:
The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet (by Alicia Silverstone)

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Quinoa Black Bean Salad

By Jen, on February 21st, 2011%


It’s a snow day here is Minneapolis. Over a foot of snow is on the ground and my car is stuck and buried. I should have a pot of soup on the stove, or a loaf of bread in the oven. But no, as an act of weather defiance I just made a big batch of salad. Take that old man winter. I’m fighting the winter blahs with this quinoa and black bean salad recipe that’s dressed with a bright and fresh lime and ancho chile vinaigrette. I made the dressing with equal parts lime juice and extra virgin olive oil, but it could probably take more lime juice. (I only had 1 lime and running to the store in a snow storm was not an option!). The ancho chile adds nice flavor, but no heat. If you like a bit of spice add a dash of cayenne pepper or a chopped fresh jalapeno pepper.

Quinoa Black Bean Salad
1 cup uncooked quinoa
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 medium red or green bell pepper, chopped
1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, quartered
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
Fine sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Cook quinoa according to package directions. Place cooked quinoa in a large mixing bowl; cool slightly. Stir in black beans, bell pepper, tomatoes, green onions and cilantro.

For dressing, whisk together lime juice, olive oil and ancho chile powder. Pour dressing over quinoa mixture; stir to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Salad can be served immediately or covered and chilled for several hours. Store in refrigerator.

Makes about 7 cups salad

How to Cook Quinoa
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water

Place quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. Rinse and drain quinoa. Combine quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to boiling. Cover and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook 10 to 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender. Makes about 4 cups cooked quinoa.

Recipe Links:
Lemon Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas
Lemon-Scented Quinoa Salad from Heidi at 101 Cookbooks

Product Link:
Ancient Harvest Quinoa INCA Red Organic Gluten Free – 12 OZ

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