For the past month and a half, I’ve been attempting to reduce the quantity of wheat and other grains in my diet. I used to be able to eat starchy carbohydrates without gaining weight or suffering tummy discomfort. Not so much, these days.
I spent three weeks carefully following the principles of the paleo diet and have since decided that what works best for my body is a diet primarily based on fruits, vegetables and lean protein (both animal and plant-based), with a little grain thrown in for blood sugar stabilization (and overall mood enhancement!).
Because I like to bake (and enjoy eating the fruits of my labours!), I’ve been experimenting with non-wheat flours and flour substitutes, including almond and coconut flour and cooking with quinoa flakes. (Late to the quinoa party? Read this article for lots of great info about quinoa and its health benefits)
Now you probably know that quinoa makes a great alternative to your morning oats. But whole quinoa takes a while to cook. Time that I just don’t have weekday mornings. Instead, I’ve started cooking with quinoa flakes.
Quinoa flakes and pumpkin ‘oatmeal’
- 1/2 cup quinoa flakes
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 Tbsp ground flax seed
- 1/4 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp dried cranberries
- pure maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp chopped nuts (I like pecan best with this recipe)
- Combine quinoa flakes, cinnamon and almond milk in a heavy saucepan.
- Heat over medium-high until mixture comes to a boil.
- Reduce heat and stir until liquid is absorbed (3-4 minutes)
- Add pumpkin, flax seed and dried cranberries, stirring until pumpkin is warm.
- Top with maple syrup and nuts.
- Enjoy!
Need more great ideas for cooking with quinoa flakes? Check out Pinterest. I found a fabulous recipe for grain-free Chocolate Chip Cookies made with quinoa flakes, nut butter and almond flour; perfect for a mid-afternoon snack! Because there are no chocolate chips in my pantry (trigger food alert), I turned them into Peanut Butter Cranberry cookies.
I’m linking this post up with some other ‘Pinteresting recipes’ over at The Splattered Apron. To see some other recently ‘test-driven’ Pinterest recipes, click on the link below.
Do you enjoy cooking with quinoa flakes?
What’s your favourite quinoa recipe?
Addicted to Pinterest like me?
PRINT!!
yep
Im old school
I still print…
MIzMiz recently posted..Brita kids water bottles: Tornado guest post.
So happy that I installed a ‘printer friendly’ widget on my site! Just for you and yours!
YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I eat pretty close to you but I do have things with wheat but mostly the other stuff.
OK got to try – quinoa is a complete protein so need to see of the flakes are the same, – I don’t care – just curious BUT printing these recipes too!!!!!
Jody – Fit at 54 recently posted..Gratitude Monday & Air Conditioning; Remembering
They are very yummy and went directly to the freezer so as not to provide a constant (but healthy) temptation to this fit chick!
Thanks, Tamara, for sharing these ideas. I haven’t used quinoa flakes but my SIL uses them for her morning breakfast and rally likes them, and now, with your endorsement, too, I will be giving them a try.
I have mostly given up grains too… a small serving every day is good enough for me too.
Elle recently posted..Pinning Recipes… Better Than Bookmarks!
You will love these Elle! So easy to add to just about anything you bake. I’m all about increasing the nutrient density of my treats!
I should probably give up some of my carbs, but I am not mentally there yet. But every time I read your recipes I get that much closer. You are one heck of a clever cook. I’ll be right over.
AlexandraFunFit recently posted..Challenge Yourself to a Healthier You
How about a quinoa flakes bread? I don’t make ‘real’ bread (just the bread machine type). Maybe I’ll give it a try!
P.S. Dinner tonight is pesto stuffed sole with cranberry and pinenut swiss chard. There will probably be pasta for my luddite children. Shall we set an extra place?
I absolutely love the texture of quinoa flakes!
Gina @ Health, Love, and Chocolate recently posted..Valuing my Health
But does it actually taste like regular quinoa? I’ve tried quinoa several different ways and I’m just not a fan of the taste!
Thea, it does taste a bit quinoa-y, but not nearly as strong as the whole grain. Plus, if you cook it in a recipe that has some sort of sweetener, the taste gets diluted even more!
I have heard mixed reviews about quinoa flakes. The recipe looks so good…and you know I’m a fellow pumpkin aficionado so yes I’ll be bookmarking this
Christy recently posted..Pinteresting Recipes: Pumpkin Cake Batter Dip
Wow, Tamara! You have outdone yourself this time. These look extremely delicious and crispy too. I didn’t know that quinoa flakes even existed, silly me:)
Mariella Lombardi recently posted..Walnuts Almonds Hazelnuts – Should You Eat These Nuts While Trying To Lose Weight?
Mariella, the cookies are absolutely fabulous! And would also be wonderful with a hint of dark chocolate…
My hubby was the one who discovered quinoa flakes for our household. He noticed them in the bulk food bins at our local grocery store; he loves to peruse the bulk food bin aisle!
I need a napkin when looking at pinterest!
Love the maple syrup in your recipe
Kierston recently posted..WIAW: Fitness Competitor Friendly Potluck!
Pinterest makes me hungry. That is all.