mixed berry breakfast quinoa porridge

Mixed Berry Breakfast Quinoa Porridge is a heart healthy way to say “I love you” this Valentine’s Day!

Mixed Berry Breakfast Quinoa Porridge ~vegan, gluten free~

Berries are bursting with antioxidants and flavonoids.  The Harvard School of Public Health conducted a study that demonstrated women who eat three or more servings of berries per week may have a lower risk of heart attack.  They found that the flavonoid anthocyanin in strawberries and blackberries improves blood flow, which reduces the amount of plaque build up and ultimately lowers heart attack risk.

The other proven factor to decrease risk of heart disease is fiber, which quinoa has plenty of!  1 cup of cooked quinoa contains 5 grams of fiber!  Similar to berries, quinoa also contains flavonoids that lower inflammation in the body.  Quinoa is also a gluten free alternative to other wheat based breakfast cereals.

Mixed Berry Breakfast Quinoa Porridge ~vegan, gluten free~

mixed berry breakfast quinoa porridge
 
Print
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves 2, nutritional facts calculated with 1 tablespoon slivered almonds on each serving
Author:
Recipe type: Breakfast
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • For the Berry Compote:
  • 1 cup frozen mixed berries or berries of your choice
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon pure almond or vanilla extract
  • For Quinoa Porridge:
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup soy or almond milk
  • ½ cup quinoa
  • pinch sea salt
  • Toppings:
  • soy or almond milk
  • sliced almonds
Instructions
  1. For the Berry Compote:
  2. Put all ingredients in a small sauce pan and bring to a low simmer. Let simmer for 5 minutes or until berries are thawed and sauce starts to slightly thicken.
  3. For the Quinoa Porridge:
  4. Bring water, milk and pinch of sea salt to a boil in a saucepan. Add quinoa, cover and reduce heat to the lowest setting. Cook until all the liquid is absorbed and quinoa is cooked through.
  5. Once cooked, divide quinoa into two bowls and top with berry compote. Add sliced almonds and a splash of soy or almond milk. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 Calories: 314 Fat: 7 Carbohydrates: 55 Sugar: 17 Sodium: 90 Fiber: 7 Protein: 10 Cholesterol: 0
Mixed Berry Breakfast Quinoa Porridge ~vegan, gluten free~

Belly wants to wish you all a Happy Valentine’s Day!

steel cut oats ~two ways~

Yup, another morning of snow…

Need a little warming up on these cold winter mornings?

Try a bowl of steel cut oats!

Two ways:

Cranberry Orange Flax 

my new favorite :)

Cranberry Orange Flax Steel Cut Oats ~two ways~vegan/gluten free~

Coco Banana Cashew
Coco Banana Cashew Steel Cut Oats ~two ways~vegan/gluten free~

Yes, steel cut oats take more time to cook than old-fashioned oats, and even more time than quick-cooking oats.   But…they are better for you and in my opinion, taste better too!  They are a bit chewier than regular oats and when dressed up with spices, nuts, fruit and maple syrup, they make for a perfect winter breakfast!

Steel Cut Oats ~two ways~vegan/gluten free~

Steel Cut Oats

(for 4 servings)

4 cups water

1 cup steel cut oats

-Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan.

-Stir in oats, reduce heat to low.

-Simmer uncovered over low heat, stirring occasionally for 25-30 minutes or until oats are tender.

Cranberry Orange Steel Cut Oats ~two ways~vegan/gluten free~

Cranberry Orange Flax Oatmeal

~Add dried cranberries, orange zest, ground flax seeds, dash of cinnamon and drizzle with pure maple syrup~

Coco Banana Cashew Steel Cut Oats ~two ways~vegan/gluten free~

Coconut Cashew Banana Oatmeal

~Top with sliced bananas, cashews, toasted coconut, dash of cinnamon and drizzle with pure maple syrup~

(would taste great with cacao nibs too!)

Helpful Hint:  To make mornings flow a little faster, cook a batch of oats the night before, separate into small containers and heat when needed.