Food is fascinating, don't you think?
One foodstuff that I adore is quinoa, but it does not get much love.
Quinoa. Sounds like. Keen-wahh.
When I mention quinoa to people, most have no clue what it is and a great majority of people look at me sideways when I mention that it is the main staple of my diet.
Quinoa.
Sure, it sounds like a word used by ninjas as they karate chop you. But, it is so much more.
Quinoa is amazingly good for you. I mean, we're talking crazy good for you. The stats on quinoa:
1. Protein content: 1 cup of quinoa = 4 eggs. Oh, and it's a complete protein, which means it contains all nine amino acids.
2. Mineral content: 1 cup of quinoa = 1/2 recommended daily value of iron, maganese, and magnesium.
3. Low in love-handle-making calories and fat
4. Fiber: 1 cup of quinoa = about 1/2 recommended daily value of fiber.
5. Oh, and it's good for your heart. And helps people who have chronic migranes.
Seriously. I cannot say enough about quinoa.
Oh, and #6: NASA loves it and recommends its astronauts consume it during long flights, as it is the nature's most "perfect" food. Seriously? NASA?! ....Those guys are smart.
Convinced to try it, yet?
Okay, so now that you know more than you could have ever wanted to know about quinoa, a food you may have never even tasted, the question still lingers within your mind as to what the heck this tastes like! It tastes goooood. :)
It is similar to a grain and should be treated as such. (It's technically related to spinach, I know, they're odd cousins).
I eat it for breakfast, I have it with my lunch, and, oh yeah, I eat it with dinner too.
Boy, do I love me some quinoa.
Here is one of my go-to breakfasts. Try it instead of your normal oatmeal routine! You will be pleasantly surprised at how full you will stay.
Quinoa Breakfast Cereal
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients:
1 cup dry quinoa
2 cups milk: cow's, rice, almond, or soy
1 gala apple, diced
1 banana, diced
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup pecans
Directions:
1. Combine the quinoa and milk in a medium saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all of the liquid is absorbed.
3. Add the fruit.
4. Serve immediately!
380 calories / 14g fat / 9g protein
Very timely. We just bought some quinoa yesterday and I was just about to look up how to use it. I'll certainly try it for breakfast. Let me know if you have any good "side dish" recipes that feature quinoa. I'd be very interested.
ReplyDeleteLove quinoa. Never thought of making it a breakfast food!!
ReplyDeleteQuinoa is something I do like and I really should incorporate more of it in my diet. This dish is really creative and healthy, I would have never thought of using fruit with it-but I am glad you did. Great breakfast item-yum!
ReplyDeleteUn desayuno genial! me encanta tu blog así que me quedo a seguirte, yo también me paso el día cocinando y leyendo sobre cocina... y sí, es fascinante!! Un besito desde Madrid,
ReplyDeleteNieves.
http://igloocooking.blogspot.com
I am SUCH a quinoa fan, but for some reason, never think about it as breakfast! Why not?
ReplyDeletelol my post today is about quinoa too! *high-five!* Love this breakfast quinoa recipe!!!! =)
ReplyDeleteI love quinoa!! I've never had it for breakfast, I'll have to try this.
ReplyDeleteI never would have thought breakfast you are a genius!
ReplyDeleteYup, food is fascinating! I've never tried Quinoa, but your breakfast idea looks really cool! Great to learn new stuff from you!
ReplyDeleteI've never had quinoa outside of dinner, and then lunch leftovers. I do enjoy it though - and suspect I'd enjoy this breakfast recipe too! A lot in fact :)
ReplyDeleteI have been a quinoa lover for a few years already but has no idea it was related to the spinach lol. Love the breakfast idea. I have seen some before but they never looked appetizing, your looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteI am just like you Emily, it either checking and reading new recipes and watching cooking programs on tv. all the more every week faithfully following masterchef. topchef etc etc. Sometimes my hubby jokes that the only program on at home is all about food and cooking.
ReplyDeleteWe seldom have quinoa because its quite rare over here. Maybe the next time I am at a supermarket in the city, I will look out for it. I am not a breakfast person but sure will simply love this for our brunch, lovely esp with the fruits and other healthy ingredients added in.
I have some leftover quinoa in the pantry...and reading about all the nutritional value has inspired me to use it up soon! What a great breakfast!
ReplyDeleteQuinoa is an almost perfect food!! Great post. blessings ~ Tanna
ReplyDeleteI just had to do a project in quinoa for my nutrition class, and I've been addicted to it ever since. It's so versatile and good for you!
ReplyDeletevery informative...thanks for sharing the nutritional benefits of quinoa..;)
ReplyDeleteTasty Appetite
Emily....I've never tried quinoa before but you have officially lured me in! This looks like a scrumptious alternative to oatmeal in the morning! And wow...I never knew it had so much protein! I will most definitely be trying this recipe! : )
ReplyDeleteJust found what we're having for breakfast in the morning! I have all the ingredients and it sounds delicious! Can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteNow that is a healthy breakfast! I use quinoa, but not enough of it. I'll have to do better. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteQuinoa sounds terrific with fruits and pecans for breakfast, nice!
ReplyDeleteI've read and heard quinoa from lots of food blogger but I have not tried cooking with it too. Your quinoa breakfast looks good!
ReplyDeleteI should definitely sub quinoa in my breakfast oatmeal. That looks so delicious :)
ReplyDeleteAren't you clever!!!
ReplyDeleteI should use quinoa more...this is one very nutritious and delicious breakfast.
ReplyDeleteI love quinoa and always happy to find a new recipe! thanks!
ReplyDeleteQuinoa is a Super Food! It's complex-protein value alone makes it worth eating--but its versatility is makes it worth eating at any mealtime. I love it too.
ReplyDeleteI really need to give this a try in the mornings. We always use it for our dinner grain, but it sounds like it could be just glorious in the am! Thank you for sharing, sweet girl!
ReplyDeleteI will have to try this for breakfast! I'm not really a fan of hot oatmeal so maybe this will be better.
ReplyDeleteI bought some quinoa the other day but haven't used it yet, mainly because I hadn't found a good recipe yet. I'll have to give this one a try!
ReplyDeleteLove quinoa. Never thought of making it a breakfast food!!
ReplyDeleteIt is great that Quinoa is low in love handle making fat and calories. I just came of my coolsculpting treatment and I would love to get a few quinoa recipes.
ReplyDelete