My favorite ingredient for a supercharged hot breakfast is quinoa. Amaranth (known as kiwicha in Peru) is another great option. To summarise how magnificent these Andean ingredients are, quinoa and amaranth are excellent sources of protein and when consumed in the morning will keep your sugar levels (and hence, your energy) in check throughout the day. Since I started eating like this, mid-morning cravings are a thing of the past for me. I don’t even remember how they feel!
- 1-2 tablespoons oatmeal
- ½-1 tablespoon flax seeds
- 2 tablespoons cooked quinoa and/or amaranth
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- Carob syrup (algarrobina), honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, brown sugar or any other sweetener, to taste
- Put the oatmeal and flax seeds in a glass of water, and soak overnight.
- In the morning, mix everything in a blender until creamy.
- Cook the quinoa and/or amaranth in twice the amount of water, at medium-high heat, for 20 minutes. Drain.
- Put the quinoa/amaranth, oatmeal and flax seed milk, and spices in a saucepan over low heat, stirring every now and then until hot.
- Sweeten to taste and enjoy!
- You can make it more liquid by adding water, or thicker by adding more quinoa/amaranth.
Peru Delights
I have not had this for breakfast but I would love to try this recipe. I usually use quinoa in savory dishes.
In Peru it’s very common to have quinoa for breakfast, or even for desserts. You can use it to make rice pudding for example, instead of the rice.
This is my definition of the perfect breakfast. Looks so delicious and healthy!
Thanks Ericka. It is! 🙂
Whoa… I didn’t know that bit about having a warm breakfast. I’m usually a coffee and toast kind of gal. I don’t know where I would find amaranth, but I can definitely find quinoa.
Hi Pattie. They sell amaranth @ Wholefoods and other health food stores.
I love quinoa for breakfast. it’s so filling. Great addition with the berries. I can def. benefit from it’s high sugar level (or at least enough) to keep me pretty full and energized through the day. I hate plateauing.
Yes Bren. This is an excellent breakfast and your sugar levels will certainly benefit from it.
Yo desayuno quinua, kiwicha y cañihua, estos 3 granos crudos los licuo juntos, ya en la olla agrego agua q deseen y adicionalmente un pedazo de camote, todo se cocina al mismo tiempo por 12 minutos, luego le pongo fresas y estevia al gusto y un poco de leche, otra vez a la licuadora, si desean un huevo crudo y canela en polvo y a disfrutar.