Quinoa Breakfast Porridge with Berries and Almonds
In short: Quinoa simmered in almond milk with cinnamon and vanilla until soft and creamy, topped with berries and toasted almonds. Vegan and gluten-free. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 300 kcal
Quinoa is not only for salads. Simmered in almond milk with cinnamon and vanilla, it turns soft and lightly creamy, with a delicate nutty flavor and a texture that sits between oatmeal and rice pudding. It is naturally gluten-free and higher in protein than most breakfast grains. Cook a pot on Sunday and reheat portions during the week, topped with berries, toasted almonds and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa in a fine sieve under cold running water for 30 seconds to remove its bitter coating. Drain well.
- Combine the quinoa, almond milk, water, cinnamon and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer, partly covered, for 15 to 18 minutes, stirring now and then, until the quinoa is tender, the small white tails have spiraled out and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove the cinnamon stick. Stir in the maple syrup and vanilla, cover and leave for 5 minutes. The porridge thickens as it sits.
- Spoon into bowls, loosen with a splash of almond milk if needed, and top with the berries, almonds and an extra drizzle of maple syrup.
Tips
- Rinse the quinoa well. Its natural coating, called saponin, tastes bitter and soapy if it is not washed away, even on packets labeled pre-rinsed.
- Leftover cooked quinoa makes this a 10-minute breakfast. Simmer 250 g (1 1/2 cups) cooked quinoa with 240 ml (1 cup) almond milk and cinnamon for 5 minutes.
Questions and answers
Is quinoa porridge healthy?
Quinoa is a complete protein with all nine essential amino acids, plus fiber and minerals. A serving of this porridge has about 9 g of protein and keeps most people full for hours.
Can I make quinoa porridge ahead?
Yes. It keeps in the fridge for 4 days. Reheat it with a splash of almond milk or water, because it thickens as it chills.
How is quinoa porridge different from oatmeal?
It is lighter and slightly nutty, with a texture of small, tender seeds rather than creamy oats. It is naturally gluten-free and a little higher in protein.
How long does it take to make Quinoa Breakfast Porridge with Berries and Almonds?
About 30 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Quinoa Breakfast Porridge with Berries and Almonds?
About 300 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 46 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 300 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 46 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 240 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
