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If you are looking for a healthy alternative to a cream of wheat breakfast porridge that is gluten-free, then cream of quinoa is for you.
To make the porridge creamy, all it takes is 30 seconds in a blender to break down the tiny quinoa seeds a bit.
This releases quinoa’s insoluble fiber, making the porridge creamy and comforting.
Quinoa (pronounced kee-no-ah) is both sweet, and a little bitter. The addition of cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth, complexity, and excitement to your quinoa breakfast.
Topped with maple syrup or honey and roasted nuts, there’s a lot to love in this simple cooked breakfast cereal.
Is quinoa healthy?
Quinoa is a balancing, alkalizing grain that builds immunity.
It is a good source of protein—18 percent by mass—as well as folate, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc.
John Immel at Joyful Belly points out that quinoa has more calcium than milk.
Anti-inflammatory
A quinoa breakfast is high in soluble fiber, which is the kind of fiber that soothes and heals the digestive tract.
Quinoa’s thermal nature is cooling, which is helpful when inflammation is a concern. This means it has a cooling effect in your body.
If you pay attention after eating quinoa porridge, you will definitely be able to feel the beneficial effects in your gut. You should feel better after eating this.
Is quinoa a carb?
Quinoa is 73 percent carbohydrate, according to the USDA Handbook #456.
Compared to other grains, it’s carb content is quite low. That’s because quinoa is also high in protein (18 percent) with a sizable fat content of 9 percent.
Since cravings for carbohydrates are often protein cravings in disguise, eating quinoa can actually help to curb future unwanted carbohydrate cravings.
Quinoa to water ratio
The typical quinoa to water cooking ratio is 2 to 1.
In this recipe we are using 2 cups liquid to 1/3 cup quinoa, which is more like 6 to 1.
That’s because we want a smooth and creamy consistency for porridge.
How to make quinoa breakfast porridge
To make cream of quinoa for your next breakfast, start by blending quinoa together with water, ground cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt for 30 seconds.
This pulverizes the quinoa and makes it more creamy.
Then, you simmer the blended quinoa for 10 minutes in a saucepan with a teaspoon of ghee, or your choice of healthy fat.
Next, make the porridge extra creamy by stirring in milk or plant-based milk.
Finally, top off your healthy breakfast with maple syrup or honey, and roasted chopped nuts for crunch.
Enjoy!
Cream of Quinoa Breakfast Porridge
Equipment
- small saucepan
Ingredients
Step 1
- 1/3 cup quinoa
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/9 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- pinch nutmeg powder
- pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon ghee (optional)
Step 2
- 1/2 cup whole milk (sub with plant-based milk)
Optional toppings
- almonds, walnuts, or pecans
Instructions
- Add quinoa, water, cinnamon powder, ginger powder, cardamom powder, and nutmeg to a blender. Blend on medium for 30 seconds to partially pulverize the quinoa.
- Add spiced liquid to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil on high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer, add optional ghee, along with a pinch of salt, and cook, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Add milk or plant-based milk to thin. Simmer for 3-5 minutes more, or until thickened to your liking.
Optional toppings
- After the porridge is fully cooked and you have portioned it into a bowl, drizzle on 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey and top with chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans.