Description
A delicious and nutritious chocolate quinoa breakfast bowl, perfect for a healthy start to your day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (170 g) quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups (480 ml) unsweetened almond milk
- ⅛ teaspoon (0.7 g) sea salt
- 3 tablespoons (15 g) unsweetened dark cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons (60 ml) pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) pure vanilla extract
- Hemp seed hearts, sliced bananas, sliced strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, dark chocolate shavings – optional, quantities as desired
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat until hot. Add the rinsed quinoa and stir frequently for 3-4 minutes, watching for the quinoa to slightly darken to avoid burning. This toasting enhances the nutty flavor of the quinoa.
- Step 2: Pour in the unsweetened almond milk and sprinkle in the sea salt. Stir to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Step 3: Bring the mixture to a low boil over medium-high heat. Then reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the mixture from boiling over.
- Step 4: After simmering, check that the quinoa is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. If the quinoa seems undercooked, add an additional ¼ cup (60 ml) of almond milk and simmer uncovered for another 2-3 minutes.
- Step 5: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the unsweetened dark cocoa powder, pure maple syrup, and pure vanilla extract thoroughly until fully combined and smooth. If the chocolate flavor is mild, mix in 1 tablespoon more cocoa powder to intensify richness without added sugar.
- Step 6: Spoon the chocolate quinoa mixture into bowls. Top with your choice of sliced bananas, fresh berries, hemp seed hearts, or dark chocolate shavings. For added texture and flavor, consider sprinkling 1 tablespoon of nuts or a drizzle of almond butter.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day to maintain texture and flavor.
- Refrigeration: Cool completely, then seal in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Use organic quinoa and rinse thoroughly under cold water before cooking to remove bitterness and enhance its nutty flavor.
- Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a smoother, richer chocolate taste; check for freshness by smell and texture.
- If the mixture boils aggressively, reduce heat immediately and stir during simmering to prevent boil-over.
- To avoid lumps after adding cocoa, stir vigorously immediately after removing the saucepan from heat.
- Adding hemp seed hearts or berries just before serving adds color, nutrition, and a pleasant crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg