Loaded Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Name: Loaded Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 1 serving.
Ingredients: 3/4 cup water, divided; 1/4 cup tri-colored quinoa, rinsed; 2 tablespoons dried goji berries or dried cranberries; 1 small banana; 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened blueberries; 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts; 1 tablespoon slivered almonds; 1 tablespoon fresh pumpkin seeds; Additional unsweetened almond milk and maple syrup, optional

After I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, I embarked on a journey to improve my diet and live a healthier lifestyle. I began developing recipes that were not only deliciously satisfying, but also anti-inflammatory and highly nutritious. —Chantale Michaud, Guelph, Ontario

Ingredients

3/4 cup water, divided
1/4 cup tri-colored quinoa, rinsed
2 tablespoons dried goji berries or dried cranberries
1 small banana
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened blueberries
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon slivered almonds
1 tablespoon fresh pumpkin seeds
Additional unsweetened almond milk and maple syrup, optional

Directions

In a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed, 12-15 minutes. Meanwhile, soak berries in remaining water for 10 minutes; drain. Halve banana crosswise. Slice one half; mash the other.
Remove quinoa from heat; fluff with a fork. Mix in mashed banana, almond milk, maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla. Transfer to an individual bowl; add blueberries, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, banana slices and goji berries. If desired, serve with additional almond milk.

Test Kitchen tips

Quinoa contains a natural substance called saponin, which has a bitter taste. Most (but not all) packaged quinoa has been rinsed to remove this coating. If your quinoa has not been pre-rinsed, simply rinse it under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer until the water runs clear.

Goji berries, also called wolfberries, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. They are an excellent source of antioxidants, beta carotene, iron and vitamin C.

Quite versatile, quinoa can be cooked as a breakfast porridge, used in a stir-fry or added to soups and stews.

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is a seed that is cooked and eaten like a grain. It contains all of the essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Quinoa is also a good source of fiber, B-vitamins, calcium, potassium, magnesium, tryptophan and selenium.