How to make quinoa for breakfast:
I love quinoa, but, now I really love quinoa for breakfast! It’s one of those plant-based classics like oatmeal or chia pudding that is completely transformed by the flavorings. In fact, anything you’d add to flavor oatmeal, you can do with quinoa. One difference though, I like to cook my quinoa dry so it has a fluffy texture, cool it with some milk, and then toss in the rest of the add-ins. I wouldn’t do that with oatmeal, but, it makes a wonderful texture for quinoa.
How to cook quinoa in the microwave:
Unlike on the stove top, cooked in the microwave, it’s simple, convenient, and fast! It’s easy to double the recipe for two. But, for more than that, probably the stove top is a better way to prepare it without worrying about it overflowing the bowl. I’m including links to flavored oatmeal recipes to give you more ideas for delicious flavoring options.
Health benefits of quinoa vs oatmeal:
Wondering why you should have quinoa for breakfast instead of oatmeal? In a word, protein! One of quinoa’s main nutritional advantages is its high protein content, containing more protein per serving than oatmeal. Each cup of cooked quinoa provides 8.1 grams of protein, compared to 5.6 grams in an equivalent portion of cooked oatmeal. They are both whole grains, but, quinoa has a bit more fiber making it a beneficial belly food. Here’s a quick way to cook quinoa:
- ¾ C Water or milk of choice
- ½ C Uncooked quinoa
- ¼ C Milk of choice, or to taste
- ½ C Cut fruits or berries
- 2 T Honey, Agave nectar, maple syrup or sweetener of choice
- 1 T Vanilla Almond butter
- 1 T Unsalted nuts, pecans, walnuts, almonds, etc.
- Place quinoa into a fine mesh sieve with a bowl underneath.
- Rinse quinoa with water from faucet and let bowl fill to suspend seeds.
- Let sit for 5 to 30 minutes, then drain.
- Into a very large, microwave-safe bowl, place ¾ of water with wet quinoa.
- Cover with upside down plate; cook in microwave on high for 6 minutes.
- Carefully remove hot plate, and stir.
- Replace hot plate and cook for another 3 minutes at 80% power, or until all the water is absorbed.
- Remove from microwave and fluff with a fork.
- Add in sweetener, more milk, scoop of almond butter, and fruit and nuts, as desired.
Flavoring ideas from oatmeal recipes:
Banana cream pie oatmeal Chai Oatmeal Carrot cake oatmeal
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