Monday, March 12, 2012

breakfast quinoa with a caramelized banana and carrot topping


It is Secret Recipe Club time again.  I have been in a health funk lately.  When I was assigned the blog get healthy with Heather it was the perfect kick I needed to get my mind reset on the concept that health is a lifestyle.  I am fairly committed to a healthy lifestyle but, it is always inspiring for me to read exercise tips and recipes from another health conscience individual.  Heather's blog is filled with recipes, fitness and pregnancy information.  Reading her blog made me feel as if I met my perfect breakfast companion.  I think Heather enjoys oatmeal as much as I do.  We both have oatmeal recipes that include ingredients such as carrots, zucchini, bananas, eggs and chia seeds.  I eat overnight oats almost every morning.  I never get sick of oatmeal.  Breakfast quinoa has been on my radar for awhile but, I never wanted to make it because that would mean no morning oatmeal.  Heather's recipe gave me the perfect opportunity to put the oats on the back burner and give quinoa in the morning a try.  One word ... bananas!  I loved  it.  I have had it both hot and cold. I have had it several days in a row. The slight crunch is a nice change from the soft oats.  It is so easy to prep and it is packed with protein.  Take Heather's advice and start your morning off with this nutritious and delicious bowl of quinoa with endless possibilities of variations.  My favorite bowl was topped with caramelized bananas, carrots and walnuts.  Just bananas!

breakfast quinoa with caramelized bananas and carrots
source: get healthy with Heather

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups water
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
2 tablespoons chia seeds.
1 tablespoon of butter
1 banana, sliced
1 carrot, julienned
1 tablespoon walnuts, chopped
1 tablespoon agave
1 teaspoon cinnamon


The night before bring the quinoa, water and cinnamon stick to a boil in a small pot on the stove top.  Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed.  Remove the cinnamon stick.

Separate into 4 bowl, cool to room temperature, cover and place in the fridge for the night.

Remove a bowl from the refrigerator and add a 1/2 cup if almond milk and 1/2 a tablespoon of chia seeds per bowl.  Give a good stir and let for 5-10 minutes. 

While quinoa is sitting. Warm up a small skillet over medium heat.  Melt butter.  Toss the banana, carrot, walnuts with agave and cinnamon in a small bowl.  Add the mixture to the skillet with the melted butter.  Allow the mixture to caramelize by cooking for approximately 5 minutes stirring frequently. 

Warm bowl of quinoa in the microwave for 60-90 seconds.

Top with a quarter of the caramelized topping. 

*The quinoa is also great served cold with fresh berries.

18 comments:

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy said...

I love quinoa and I'll bet it makes a great breakfast! This sounds really good with the chia seeds, I've got to try this!

Rachel said...

Yum! I love quinoa and have been wanting to try it for breakfast. I think I'll try this one!

Corina said...

I love the idea of this - just not sure I could be so organised. Much as I love being inthe kitchen, usually after making dinner I feel my cooking time is over for the day.

Kristi said...

Mmmmm...definitely going on my to-try list. I love quinoa. I've yet to try chia seeds, but I've been meaning to...this sounds like a great way to try them. Thanks for posting.

Angie A said...

yummerific!

Lisa~~ said...

Sounds wonderful and love that it includes my favorite chia seeds and that it's allergy safe for my daughter, I'll have to give it a try.

If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my Group 'A' SRC entry: Broiled Sushi.

Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook

Baking Serendipity said...

I love this! I made breakfast quinoa a few weeks back and was so pleased with the clean slate it left for topping, and a change from my regular oatmeal. The veggie/fruit combo is fantastic!

Betsy said...

I also love oatmeal, and quinoa, so I think I'm going to have to give this one a try! I'm stopping by from Secret Recipe Club. I hope you'll swing by Seasonalpotluck.com March is artichoke month! http://bit.ly/zRfNjo I'd love if you'd link up your artichoke recipes!

Anonymous said...

This looks like he ultimate breakfast, sweet healthy and wonderful!

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

I have been using quinoa in my cooking lately so I love this. So healthy and great for breakfast!

Cindy @ Once Upon a Loaf said...

This looks amazing! I just bought some Quinoa, so I'm going to make this. Thanks for this post!

Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather said...

I LOOOOVEEEE that you caramelized your bananas and added carrots in here too. So cool! Must try.

Such a cute bowl you used too. Glad you secretly got to spy on me... hehe :) Happy day!

Unknown said...

That looks like an awesome breakfast. I'm just not sure that the carmelized banana would make it to the bowl from the pan. I'd probably eat it right there.

That Girl said...

I'm digging this "health is a lifestyle" philosophy.

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Wow, healthy indeed! I love quinoa, but haven't made it for breakfast yet - thanks for the idea. I hope you'll stop by and visit my SRC post for Chewy Oatmeal Raisin and Almond Cookies

:)
ButterYum

beti said...

wow I would love to have it for breakfast!

Unknown said...

wonderful! this gets me excited for breakfast and i'll be honest - i've been lacking a little a.m. food excitement lately. bookmarking!

happy src reveal from a group D member!

Kitchen Belleicious said...

WOW! So creative with the bananas on top not to mention the carrots along with them! You did great in picking a recipe- i would have picked this one too! Love it

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