Something incredible has happened. I found quinoa in Barletta! If you don’t understand what this means to me, I’ll have to explain a bit about Italians and health food. They don’t like it. Sure, there are a pleasant few who I can wax nostalgic about kale and hummus with, those who’ve traveled or are itching to do so. But the majority are content with their delicacies as they are. For example, the other day I was talking to a mother of a student, explaining that I drink green tea instead of coffee in the morning. Her reaction was one of genuine fear for my health. “Green tea? In the morning? On an empty stomach? Oh, no. You must drink coffee [espresso] instead, it is so much better for you than green tea! No, no. Green tea at breakfast? No, no.” She trailed off shaking her head before I could intervene to tell her that it was good for everything - digestion, energy, it was rich in antioxidants - that coffee just made me hungrier and and more tired throughout the day.
It was no use.
You can imagine my happy surprise, then, when I found actual quinoa in a shop in town. Touched by no one, I bought the first bag in the row, and practically ran home to make it.
Hearty Breakfast Quinoa
1 1/2 cups milk (I used soy)
1/2 cup rinsed quinoa
2 tsp brown sugar (or to taste)
1/2 chopped banana
1/4 tsp cinnamon
handful raisins
Bring milk and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Lower the heat and simmer until most of milk is absorbed, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ingredients.
For now, I’m fine with keeping my health food to myself. Hey, at least I know that store is never going to run out of quinoa!
One reason I like your recipes so much is that I can always find all the ingredients in Germany! When looking at recipes from the US it often reads like ' 1 cup evaporated cane juice, 3 stevia packets, 0 percent fat blueberry yoghurt and 2 tbsp mango-maracuja protein powder' and I just disappointedly close the tab. Fortunately quinoa is available and I look forward to trying your recipe! :)
ReplyDeletehoooray! enjoy every bite! :) xo
ReplyDeleteI make quinoa for breakfast every morning! I top it with banana + nut butter + hemp seeds. I like toasting the quinoa after it cooks - so yummy! xo, eliza
ReplyDeleteI've never thought of quinoa for breakfast! This is perfect!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great breakfast, I love the toppings!
ReplyDeletei'm so happy the recipes are doable for you! i'm all about fast, fresh and easy (inexpensive too!) and i love when i find products i would normally get at home here! have fun with this!
ReplyDeleteyaa! thanks jill! xoxo
ReplyDeletewow, that's so good of you! how do you toast it after?
ReplyDeleteyes! like any grain, you can dress it however you want! i LOVE it!
ReplyDeletethanks laura! me too, raisin/banana/cinnamon is perfection!
ReplyDeleteI heat up a large skillet and then spread out one serving of quinoa in a thin layer across the pan, so it heats evenly. Once it begins toasting I give it a good stir and spread it out again in hopes of toasting both sides. It's delicious!
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