Blueberry Pecan Breakfast Quinoa

Yes. Quinoa for breakfast.  Weird, I know.  However, it is January and all, and I am *supposed* to put on a bathing suit in 3 months. Yikes.  Let's not talk about that right now.  Let's talk about breakfast.  I love breakfast food...pretty much anytime of day.  I also love grains...regular oats, steel cut oats, cous cous, you name it.  Quinoa (pronounced "keen-wah" for whatever reason) - not my fave (and I read that technically it is a seed, not a grain, but whatev.)  I have made it a couple of times before and it just tasted....earthy.  Which is my nice way of saying it tasted kinda like dirt.  I figured it was because I wasn't cooking it correctly - and I was correct. 

When I saw this recipe for Quinoa Porridge from Closet Cooking, I knew I had to give quinoa another try.  It is really good for you and I have been determined to incorporate it into our diet.  And by "our" I mean "mine" at the moment.  I'm working on winning everyone else over.

Blueberry Pecan Breakfast Quinoa adapted from Closet Cooking

• 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 1/2 cup Unsweetened Almond-Coconut milk (can use any milk you like)
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 
  
• Toppings - Pecans, Sprinkle of turbinado sugar, more Almond-Coconut milk (optional)

Bring the quinoa, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and maple syrup to a boil.  Reduce heat, and simmer (covered) for about 15 minutes or until tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.  Remove from heat, stir in blueberries.  

For serving - add choice of toppings.  I added pecans, turbinado sugar and more milk.  (Makes 2 servings)

Verdict?  Yummy-licious.  A warm, filling breakfast, that doesn't taste earthy ;-)  You can reduce the calories by using a low fat, low sugar milk (The Unsweetened Almond Coconut Milk is only 45 calories per serving); sugar free syrup, and skip the raw sugar on top or use Stevia or something instead.  It just depends on how sweet you like it.  I am glad that I have found a way to enjoy quinoa, and I have been experimenting with other breakfast flavors too.  I will post the pumpkin pie version later!

I'm linking this recipe up at City of Motherly Love, Life as Mom, Miz Helen's Country Cottage, The Mandatory Mooch, Memories by the Mile, Eat at Home