Quinoa for Breakfast

A few months back I was listening Martha Stewart radio on Sirius (I happen to love to talk radio, and 80% of their content is fun and informative).  Dave Lieberman, was on the program talking about his new book, The 10 Things you Need to Eat.  I was a huge fan of his when he had a show on the food network and although he has been off air for some time, I continue to be inspired by his recipes.

I came into the segment midway through and when I realized it was Dave talking, I called the radio station and asked what the heck they were talking about.  I was presently parking at Sports Chalet to pick up some stuff for the kids, however when I was done there I made a bee line for Borders.  I bought the book on the spot.  No need to thumb through it, I knew what I was getting myself into.

I have always liked quinoa.  I had never made it right.  It always came out too wet.  Dave solved that problem by sharing his discovery. Cook quinoa with 1 part quinoa to 1 1/4 part water.  Rather than 1 to 2 as the package suggests. Works like a charm.

I was instantly drawn to the Creamy Breakfast Oats and Quinoa.  I do love a good bowl of oatmeal, but can't eat it everyday.  I make Dave's quinoa and oats a few times per week and it is the perfect balance of sweet vs. savory with the extra added bonus of it being "hot".  I like a hot breakfast in the morning and this is no exception.

All I thought about, during my early morning yoga practice today, was coming home and making this big bowl of goodness!

ingredients:


1 1/2 cups of milk ( I use soy milk)
1 Tbls. honey
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
pinch of salt
1/2 cup cooked quinoa 
3/4 cup whole oats


directions:
In small saucepan, bring the milk, honey, cinnamon, & salt to a simmer over medium heat.  Add the quinoa ( I keep a big batch of it in the fridge and it lasts all week) and the oats, over and cook until mixture is thick and creamy, about 7-10 minutes.

I also add some raisins when cooking. If I have fresh blueberries, I add those once cooked.  This is a breakfast addiction!

p.s. if you get the book, make the Quinoa & Chickpea Falafel balls.  So light and delicious!

Homemade Granola Bars

My friend Karen thought it would be a good idea to have a group of mom's over to her house for brunch the day after school started. She figured it was best for us all to bitch and moan in one room rather than play telephone with one another. Actually, it was a good idea. It gave us perspective and we were all able to laugh at the mundane.

I was really on the fence as to whether or not I was going to be able to make it, however when I decided that I would pop by, it was 10:30 p.m. the night before. Which meant that I had to make something at the crack of dawn the next morning and it had to be quick and easy.

I had tried a few granola bars in the past, but they were basically...cake. I really want to try and get more healthy choices thrown into our daily snack binge and I felt this would be a good place to start.

I used the Ina Garten recipe as my base, yet switched it up a little. I added some ground flax seeds and used oil instead of the butter. I didn't have any dates, but I did have some dried figs which I kept kind of chunky. I love dried figs and these were a winner. I also substituted dried cherries (cuz I love them) for the cranberries.

I plan on making these again, yet, more with the kids in mind. I want to try various combos using chocolate chunks, white chocolate, whole almonds, peanuts (just cuz they like them), toffee pieces, other dried fruits and dried banana chips. I probably wont use all of these ingredients together, but I will find a combo that they like and then keep experimenting with those.

They were really good. I received a few emails and calls regarding these and I have a feeling we are going to be seeing our neighborhood kids eating lots and lots of homemade granola bars.