Breakfast Quinoa

I love a good warm breakfast cereal when the temperatures start to drop. This is my first winter down in Southern California and sad to say, I've already been spoiled by the perpetual nice weather ... I have been dying of cold these last couple weeks ... With it only being in the 40's. I'm a brat. After living in Reno & Tahoe for the past few years, and growing up with the icy cold winters of Philly, you would think I had more of a tolerance :)

Typically, I'm a fan of steel cut oatmeal, but I decided to start experimenting with quinoa in the mornings for its protein content (see how I live on the wild side?) This a delicious and filling breakfast ... Feel free to try to substitutes that I suggest below! You can start with the basics and really create a bunch of different tastes. Enjoy!

4 servings 

-1 cup quinoa

-2 cups coconut milk (and extra for the end ... 1 or so cups)

-4 tsp vanilla extract

-1 tsp cinnamon

-1/2 tsp nutmeg

-1/2 tablespoon brown sugar

-2 tablespoons flax seed

-1/2 tablespoon chia seed

Nummy things to add!

-fruit of your choice ... Bananas (I tried this for this round ... I used 2), peaches (frozen or fresh), cherries 

-1/4 cup nuts of your choice ... Almonds, pecans, walnuts 

-1/4 cup shredded coconut

For the calories & nutritional content noted below, I used bananas, pecans & shredded coconut

1. I substituted cooking my quinoa with coconut milk instead of water. In your pan, add all your base ingredients for your cereal ... Coconut milk, quinoa, flax seed, vanilla, sugar, nutmeg & cinnamon. Cook until all liquids are dissolved

2. Now this is a lovely thing about this recipe ... It's incredibly freezer friendly! In a large Rubbermaid container, I covered the bottom with a large spoonful of quinoa and then layered sliced bananas, a sprinkle of pecans & shredded coconut. Repeat until full. On top, I sprinkled the chia seeds. 

3. If you decide to eat this deliciousness now, pour a little more coconut milk on top. 

Nomnomnom ...

Calories

338

Fat: 16.9

Saturated: 1.9

Polyunsaturated: 3.9

Monounsaturated: 7.4

Cholesterol: 0

Sodium: 7.2

Carbs: 41.8

Dietary Fiber: 5.5

Protein: 7.9