Blueberry Breakfast Quinoa

In the early morning hours, when the sun is low in the sky and my eyes aren't quite ready to open and let the light into my world, a good breakfast wraps itself around me like a blanket and softly whispers that it's time to face the day. Breakfast is a comfort in a tired, caffeine driven world. It's a simple routine that fills an empty stomach and brings warmth and energy into a sleepy frame.

I've found an appreciation for breakfast.

There was a period in my life when I didn't appreciate breakfast. After entering university for the first time, with the nearest microwave fifty feet down the hall and an alarm clock that went off fifteen minutes before class, breakfast seemed a trivial part of the morning. I was born on the foundation of hot breakfasts. I like my breakfasts steaming from the stove top, with a sprinkling of sugar, and a splash of milk. If I couldn't have a piping hot bowl in front of me, I wanted nothing at all. For four years, I snubbed my nose at breakfast, welcoming lunch as my first meal of the day.

I was a fool.

Amid the hustle and bustle of stepping into clothes, fixing hair, and rushing to gather belongings before running out the door, breakfast is the calm in the storm of morning. A quiet reminder to take a moment to sit down and introduce myself to the aromas and flavors of a new day. I revel in the feeling of breakfast. It's a fresh start; a chance to replace yesterday with a new today. Some mornings I wake up early just so I can hold a steaming bowl of cereal in my hands and welcome the day in my own way.

I sincerely hope you've discovered the joy hidden in the depths of your cupboards. There is so much to love in that cereal box.

I've more or less eaten the same breakfast for the last twenty years. However, after trying out a bowl of this Blueberry Breakfast Quinoa, I may have discovered a replacement. Every morning this the past week, I've sat down to this sweet, nutty breakfast and I can't get enough. The quinoa cooks up in milk and absorbs the creamy flavor deep within its seeds. With a splash of milk and a handful of almonds and blueberries, I feel at home. The texture of the quinoa is such an interesting contrast to the warm, bursting juice of the blueberries—it's a texture of which I could never grow tired.

One Year Ago: Portrait of a Town

Blueberry Breakfast Quinoa

Yields 1 serving

1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
1/2 cup unsweetened almond or soy milk (regular milk will also work)
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons brown sugar
Handful chopped or sliced almonds
Handful of fresh blueberries

In a large saucepan, stir together the quinoa, milk, and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, cover and turn heat down to low. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until quinoa softens and absorbs all of the water. Mix in the brown sugar.

Transfer to a bowl, splash with milk, and sprinkle on a handful of almonds and blueberries. Serve hot.

The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve however many you please.

Comments

[Pavlina Petkova]

I love your blog, your photos and your recipes! Had your multigrain bread several times and is a favorite in our family! Greetings from Bulgaria and soon!

[Becca - cookie jar treats]

I have never tried quinoa before, but judging by your photos is looks delicious! I usually have either a bowl of cereal (cereal=love) or a bowl of maple brown sugar oatmeal (the best thing ever!). Then again I love almost all breakfast foods, just not necessarily /for/ breakfast :)

[Amanda]

I've read your blog for months now and can say the only thing I like more than looking at your photos and reading your posts (both of which are brilliant, by the way) is a good breakfast. And this looks like it will be a great one. Thank you for sharing your life and recipes with internet strangers! We love you for it!

[Chris]

...You could probably pull this off with a rice cooker too. I just high-fived myself - I'm giving this a try.

[Alex]

I never used to eat breakfast, could never eat that early in the morning. Now I actually appreciate the chance to take a moment to wake up slowly whilst eating something to get me going for the day.
I've been eating porridge recently and this looks like a delicious alternative, I've been meaning to try quinoa for a while so I'll have to try this!

[Erica]

Mmmm! I love breakfast, too. It's what gets me down the stairs in the morning.

[Ola]

Ive never tried quinoa but already got one box in a cupboard. I must give a chance because your photos look so delicious. And light is so beautiful.

[anita]

You have a way with words. Without warning, your words just make their way into the hearts of your readers. Photographs only add to allure of it all. A great breakfast option. I haven't tried quinoa but have heard of it and would love to give it a shot since its great for anybody trying to lose weight.

[Tracie B.]

I will be trying this soon! Hopefully my quinoa will behave itself this time. :)

[Kristen Pare]

Kristin, this sounds very good. I have a hard time eating breakfast mainly due to years of stomach issues. I took to eating alternative many years ago with minimal amount of animal proteins. I haven't had quinoa before mainly due to lack of recipes! Due to my schedule, I'm going to make it in batches (I assume its okay in the Fridge for a few days?) I just want to say thank you and look forward to these type of recipes.

[Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar]

So fun! Great idea!

[Riley]

Your pictures are beautiful! This looks like such a fun way to use quinoa!

[Julia {The Roasted Root}]

This is a perfect breakfast for me! I love the fruit and plant-based protein! My boyfriend and I typically eat eggs for breakfast, but I get kinda sick of scrambles....he can have his eggs and bacon while I eat my nice bowl of quinoa and blueberries! :)

[Jessie]

You make a bowl of quinoa look absolutely lovely. Want to curl up with it right now. Thank you!

[Malin]

I looooove breakfasts too! It´s the best meal of the day! For me it´s oatmeal in the winter, and greek youghurt +müsli in the summer! But I think I have to try this, when a cold morning arrives! Though I´ve never tried quinoa before, this looks fantastic!

[Pam]

Quinoa make an excellent breakfast. I cook mine with almond milk too. But top it with sliced banana.

[Veena]

So Nice.. So inviting

[liz]

i am sitting here with a bowl of quinoa, with honey and raspberries mixed in, and i just want to thank you, from the bottom of my mouth and stomach, for teaching me how to cook quinoa properly.

because hot DAMN.

[Jody]

OMG!
Heavenly...I love this dish.
Favourite meal of the day.
The write up and gorgeous pics motivated me to give this a go, and I'm so pleased I did.
Regards

[thyme]

I'm looking forward to trying this. We've just stopped eating cold processed cereals at breakfast. I've been reveling in steel cut oats prepared the way you outlined above. I've been hearing that quinoa is a delicious option...now I just to take out that container of quinoa! Beautiful opening photo of that bowl of quinoa. ~ Sarah