How to flavor up quinoa?

I find that some of the best seasonings for quinoa are cumin, dried bay leaf, turmeric, and salt, and black pepper . I also love to flavor it with fresh garlic and herbs such as parsley, dill, and cilantro. You can add the seasonings of your choice into the pot at the same time with the liquid and cook it as directed.

What to eat with quinoa?

Quinoa's got the carbs covered, so you'll likely want to add some additional protein ( eggs, lentils, beans, tofu, chicken), a fat (olive oil, nuts, butter, cheese), and, ideally, some kind of fruit or vegetable (broccoli, berries, squash, spinach) .

How to cook organic black quinoa?

To prepare quinoa, rinse it in cool water and strain. Saute some onion and garlic in a small pot and when soft, add the rinsed quinoa and water (one part quinoa deserves two parts water). Bring to a boil and then simmer for about 15 minutes. It's that simple.

Is quinoa healthier than rice?

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice . A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

Does quinoa burn belly fat?

It is very healthy due to its plant chemical contents that cause the secretion of appetite-suppressing hormones that curb your appetite. 25. Quinoa: High in protein, quinoa keeps you full with its high levels of plant-based proteins. It decreases your appetite and promotes belly fat decrease .

What does quinoa do to your body?

The fiber in quinoa can also help with cholesterol and blood sugar levels, lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease . Quinoa is rich in antioxidants, which can prevent damage to your heart and other organs. A diet high in antioxidants has been linked with a decreased risk of heart disease.

Is quinoa better for you than rice or pasta?

Quinoa not only has more protein and minerals than pasta, couscous, or rice, but it also has a more favorable glycemic index . Glycemic index is a measure of how quickly a food can make your blood sugar rise and it's an important metric for diabetics. The lower the number, the less a food will raise blood sugar.

What can I add to quinoa to make it less dry?

Butter: The lightly sweet flavor and richness of butter perfectly offsets the bitterness and dryness of quinoa. You can use coconut oil or olive oil for vegan. Olive oil can have a bitter aftertaste, so we prefer coconut oil.

How do you activate quinoa?

Activate the quinoa by soaking overnight in cold water . The next day, drain and rinse the quinoa through a fine sieve (the grains are so small that they will wash through a coarse one).

Seared Plums & Cinnamon Quinoa (2024)

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This recipe might be a bit of an adventure for breakfast, but these seared plums are just GOOD, really really good. I could inhale a whole bowl of these juicy, sweet plum halves, but even with how good they are, the cinnamon quinoa makes sure that they balance perfectly with whatever breakfast (or dessert!) you’re having.

Since these plums are vanilla-spiced, I always recommend serving them with a vanilla yogurt, it makes the whole recipe rich, creamy and a perfectly balanced meal. If you’re in the mood for a long weekend brunch or a meal-prepped breakfast, this recipe is it.

Ingredients for this seared plum recipe
How to prepare the seared plums
How to finish this recipe in the oven
Looking for other sweet fall recipes?

Ingredients for this seared plum recipe

This recipe is packed with wholesome ingredients and fall flavors. Here is everything you’ll need for this particular recipe:

1cupuncooked quinoa
4smallplums
1tspvanilla extract
1tbspred wine vinegar
3sprigsfresh thyme,stems removed
2tbspgranulated sugaror honey
1tspcinnamon
1/4tspeach of all spice, nutmeg and ginger
1cupvanilla bean yogurt
Olive oil and kosher salt, as needed

How to prepare the seared plums

The searing of the plums is the easy (and fun!) part. Just first mix the plums in the vanilla, vinegar, thyme and sugar with a pinch of salt. After that, sear them in batches on a cast iron, face down, until they start to brown and char. Do this on both sides and then set them aside for the good part!

How to finish this recipe in the oven

Now you use the cast iron first for searing, but the rest happens in the oven. Once the plums are done, place the plums in a separate bowl and wipe the cast iron out. Mix the cinnamon, all spice and nutmeg into the quinoa with a pinch of salt. Then evenly pour the quinoa into the cast iron pan.

Spread the plums on top of the quinoa and sprinkle the remaining 1 tbsp of granulated sugar on top. Bake this at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until the plums are very jammy and the quinoa has slightly crisped on top.
To serve, add a generous scoop of vanilla yogurt or skyr to each bowl, then a scoop of the quinoa and two plum halves. Serve immediately!

Looking for other sweet fall recipes?

Here are a few ideas that are fan-favorites here on the site!

Pumpkin Blueberry Muffins

You don't always think of pumpkin and blueberry as a pairing, but these Pumpkin Blueberry Muffins prove that the combination is perfect. Plus, this recipe uses the full can of pumpkin, so you won't have any awkward leftovers after making this fall season bake.