How To Make Delicious Quinoa Protein Porridge

Quinoa has become my favorite breakfast ingredient lately! I love the taste and texture, and how quickly it cooks. This breakfast is no-fuss and simple, yet satisfying and delicious! Quinoa Protein Porridge requires very little preparation and can be stirred together and placed in the refrigerator overnight, ready when you are.

Low- Fuss Breakfast

We, who are mothers, understand the need for healthy food that doesn’t require thought or effort! If I don’t prepare sufficiently for myself, I am left hungry, caught up in the bustle of homeschooling, and general life around my house. The decision about what I will eat for breakfast, and having to prepare something good for me, can distract and derail my morning! It is better if I decide in advance.

I believe we parents should care for ourselves, as well as for our families. But I like to fit my preparations into a time of day that is less hectic.

Varieties Of Quinoa

There are several kinds of quinoa available: white, red, and black. White is the most common variety. It is fluffy and the texture is soft. This is the kind I prefer.

I have tried red quinoa, it is similar to white in it’s flavor. It has a crunchier texture that I have found good in combination with the white quinoa.

Finally there is a black quinoa variety. This is an amazing product that is a cross between white quinoa and lamb’s quarter, the edible weed that many of us can find in our back yards. Black quinoa is higher in the antioxidant anthocyanin, due to its darker color. I have not used this type yet, but I plan to, after learning that!

To give all the varieties a try, there is a tri-color mix of quinoa available that combines the best qualities of all the colors. That would be a great way to taste all the varieties at once.

Quinoa Is A Superfood

Quinoa is a plant food that is considered a complete protein, which means that all nine essential amino acids are contained in fairly equal amounts. Maybe it doesn’t substitute for quality animal proteins, but it is a great addition to them!

Quinoa has been found to be an anti-inflammatory food. Phenolic acids are antioxidants that absorb through our intestinal wall and encourage an anti-inflammatory environment in our bodies. Quinoa, especially the red and black varieties, are very high in these antioxidants.

Quinoa is considered to be a gluten-free food, and though it is often thought of as one, is not a grain. It is a seed, so it is a satisfying food for anyone who eats a grain-free diet, as well!

Protein and fiber, in our food, help to keep us satisfied longer and suppress hunger. For this reason quinoa is a food that helps with weight loss.

High in prebiotics, which feed the good bacteria in the gut. So, in addition, quinoa can improve digestive health, as well.

Ingredients For Quinoa Protein Porridge

For best results, I soak quinoa overnight, then cook it in the morning. You can find my recipe for that here. For Quinoa Protein Porridge, I like to refrigerate the cooked quinoa to completely chill it. Then, I mix my porridge together the evening before I eat it. Because of the chilling of the quinoa, the resulting texture is chewy and “al dente”.

Salt is essential to enhancing the flavor of quinoa. I like to use Redmond Real Salt.

My favorite sweetener is stevia. I use an organic, pure powder that I love don’t find bitter.

For additional protein ( quinoa is a good source of plant protein), I add a quality vanilla whey protein powder and this quality collagen peptide powder.

Also, an addition I really love is one or two teaspoons of MCT oil. This is a type of coconut oil that is known to increase energy and improve metabolism! It is flavorless and gives it a decadent texture and increases satiety, making it easier to get to lunch without hunger pangs.

Finally, I add some frozen organic strawberries and blueberries. They thaw overnight and make the porridge ingredients meld together!

Other Ideas For Breakfast Quinoa

Although I make this recipe for myself, my children eat a lot of quinoa for breakfast. They eat it in a different way.

Because I soak and cook more than one serving at a time, usually two cups dry ( which yields about four cups cooked), there is a lot available.

They spoon their desired amount into a bowl. Afterwards, they add combinations of the following: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, coconut, raisins, blueberries, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla. Finally, they usually add a little milk.

Any of those additional ingredients would be delicious added to the Quinoa Protein Porridge, if that seems appealing!

Quinoa Protein Porridge For Really Busy Weeks!

Here is an idea to really lessen decision fatigue, for times when you are on the go! Mix up several bowls of this recipe at once and store in the refrigerator. It will keep well and your breakfasts are taken care of for a few days.

I love this porridge so much, I have even eaten it for lunch. It can be packed into a tote bag, and taken along for an easy lunch when running errands! An ice pack can be brought, but it has been fine without one, for me, for a few hours.

Thinking ahead and planning for my week ahead makes everything more streamlined! I can identify my “days out”, when I will need to take a lunch with me. When I do, it can be made in a travel container with a lid, so that eliminates an extra dish to wash, because it doesn’t need to be transferred.

The Final Result-Quinoa Protein Porridge

Just stir and break up the strawberries a little with your spoon and enjoy!

Do you use quinoa in your cooking? What healthy foods do you keep on hand for busy mornings? Please tell me in the comments below!