Sunday, November 12, 2006

Quinoa crazy!

I have gone quinoa crazy. I had thought brown rice would be my big staple now that I am gluten free. No longer! How could I not defect to Camp Quinoa? It cooks faster, has a great nutty taste, soft yet crisp texture, and has far superior nutritional value. I was so jazzed by last night's Curried Apple Quinoa success, that I promptly made a breakfast dish this morning. (I am also going spice crazy!)



Chai-spiced Quinoa

1 cup hot water
2-3 T loose leaf chai tea
1/2 cup quinoa
1/2 t vanilla
raisins
honey
milk or soy milk

Steep the loose leaf chai in the hot water for 5-7 minutes. Strain brewed tea into a small saucepan. Add quinoa and vanilla, bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes or until quinoa is tender. Remove from heat. Fluff quinoa ans mix in raisins (as much or little as you prefer.) Cover and allow to sit for 3-5 minutes (raisins will soften and plump.) Serve with a light (or heavy) drizzle of honey, top with milk. Enjoy!


I bet this would also be good topped with some toasted almond slivers or slices. I love the chai flavoring. I am going to play around with this and see how other spices (minus the tea) would work. Cardamon pods and star anise, perhaps?

8 comments:

Mike Eberhart said...

That is absolutely inventive! It sounds uniquely tantalizing. I love quinoa for so many reasons: taste, healthfulness, simplicity. You've taken it to an entirely new plane though - congrats on being inventive!

I'll have to try a variation on that. I have some instant Chai-Tea powder I may use instead. And, I may even try a bit of Cocoa just to see what that'll do to it :)

Ruthie said...

OH YUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!! :) I can't wait to try this!!!! Actually Im going to make it right now.
bye
:)

Lynn Barry said...

Is this the same gal who weeks, or was it days ago, was so frustrated? You are THE WOMAN!

Shannon said...

You guys are so sweet! I feel so lucky to have found such a great community of folks on here that are GF. My friends here in Chi-town have been an amazing support, but it is different when the support is from people going through the same struggles as you are. Yay for you all!

(And keep your eyes peeled. I made cookie dough last night and will be baking it when I get home today. If the cookies taste as good as the dough...watch out!!!)

Ruthie said...

Shannon,

:) It was so yum. I don't know if the quinoa got soft enough though. Maybe next time (i.e. tomorrow) I'll use less quinoa and cook it longer.

Chai-lover,
Ruthie

K Allrich said...

Good goddess, this looks tasty. ;-) I love quinoa, too. And adding your chai spices is brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Hi! Your recipe is soo good. I've been looking for a good breakfast recipe for a while. Could I post it on my website? (www.andeannaturals.com)

I will of course say that you're the inventor!

Thanks for developping this great recipe.

Sergio

Shannon said...

Hi Sergio!

Go for it. Share the recipe. Thanks for asking and for crediting me. :)

Now I am going to go check out this site of yours...