Apple Cranberry Quinoa Recipe

A Healthy Breakfast that Travels Well!

A whole-grain breakfast is a great start the day because it’s a real energy source – even if it’s technically a seed! Cereals, pancakes, toast – foods made from whole grains are still refined carbohydrates to our bodies and not processed the same way. I still eat them on occasion, but I try to make whole grains a larger carbohydrate source.

My husband is no fan of of oatmeal and other hot cereals. So, I created but a quinoa breakfast he would like. It turned out super yummy. Plus, quinoa is a complete protein and has a good amount of fiber. Top with fresh fruit and nuts and you’ve really upped the fiber, vitamin and mineral count – not to mention the awesome taste!

Print Recipe

Apple Cranberry Quinoa

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time16 mins

Total Time21 mins

Servings: 4

Author: Angela Marinelli, M.S., M.Ed. - Nourishment Connection

Ingredients

• 1 cup Quinoa
• 1 cup Apple cranberry juice 100% juice
• 1 cup Water
• 1/3 cup Walnuts chopped
• 4 cups Mixed berries

Instructions

Start on the Quinoa

• Rinse and drain the quinoa.
• Bring the fruit juice and water to a boil. As soon as the liquid boils at a slight pinch of salt to it.
• Add your quinoa to the liquid, stir it, and cover it.
• As soon as it comes back up to a boil, reduce the heat to keep it at a simmer (medium low heat to medium). Once it's cooked there will be no more water at the bottom of the pan, about 16-18 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Then fluff it (which means gently stir it.)

Prep the Rest

• While the quinoa is cooking, chop your nuts and prep your fruit.
• This amount of quinoa makes about four servings, so if you're cutting strawberries or setting aside blueberries and blackberries, you can prep four cups.
• For the fiber and other nutritive qualities, I eat 1 cup of berries with my cup of grain for breakfast.

Put it all together!

• If you're prepping food for the week like I do, you can put all of the quinoa and nuts together in one large container and take it out a cup at a time OR
• Package it in smaller containers with about 1 cup of quinoa and a little more than a tablespoon of ground nuts in each.
• I add the fruit the day I am eating it - up to you, do it how it works for you.

Notes

Copyright Nourishment Connection 2011

Learn how to cook this Apple Cranberry Quinoa with me! Give it a try and let me know how it turns out. If you have questions, just leave them in the Comments below. Happy breakfast!