I’ve only just recently started eating quinoa and I can tell you that I’ve been missing out. Quinoa is one of those foods you know nature intended you to eat because of how healthy it is. Quinoa is an ancient food native to South America that was referred to as “the gold of the Incas”. It is usually thought of as a grain, but it is actually a seed that is related to leafy green vegetables like spinach.
Some of the benefits of quinoa include:*
- Easily digestible and gluten-free
- Acts as a prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria (microflora) in your intestines
- Complete protein, which means that it contains all essential 9 amino acids
- Great source of fiber
- High levels of magnesium, which helps to relax your muscles and blood vessels
- Good source of manganese and copper, which act as antioxidants and help your body get rid of carcinogens
Quinoa is as easy to cook as rice, but does require soaking to remove the bitter saponin coating. Most commercially processed quinoa has already had the saponin coating removed, but I like to give it a short soak to help remove any residual bitterness. I soak quinoa in cold water or 15 minutes, then transfer it to a fine mesh sieve and give it a thorough rinse with cold water; after that I cook it as I would cook rice.
Peachy Keen Quinoa Porridge
(Yield: 1 serving)
1/4 c quinoa
3/4 c water
1 medium peach, diced (I didn’t peel mine)
1/8 tsp cinnamon
Pinch salt
1/2 c plain soy or almond milk
1 tsp honey (more or less to taste)
Soak the quinoa in cold water for 15 minutes. Strain it through a fine mesh sieve, then thoroughly rinse it under cold running water. Transfer the quinoa, 3/4 c water, diced peach, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to a small/medium saucepan with a lid. Bring to a boil over medium heat with the lid off; once it boils, give it a stir, cover it, and turn the heat down to a gentle simmer. Cook for 14 minutes, add the milk, turn up the heat slightly, and cook (uncovered) until it reaches your desired consistency. Add honey to taste and serve hot.
*The health benefits of quinoa listed here are from The World’s Healthiest Foods and Body Ecology.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
OMG this looks so PRETTY together. Your photography is excellent! I love quinoa… and peaches. This is a must try. Some friends of ours are having a potluck brunch in a couple of weeks and I have been trying to think of something yummy, unique, yet easily transferable. Maybe I will take this, do you think I could prepare it at home but cook it for the 14 minutes at her place?
Emily, If I were going to make this ahead to transport somewhere, I would probably prepare it up through the 14 minute cooking period. Then I would transport it, and about 10-15 minutes before everything is ready to be served I would add the milk and continue on with the recipe. If you make it, let me know how you like it! :)
I have never tried quinoa. I didn’t know it existed. I always say that I will have to try it. I’ll do that in the near future. I am keeping this recipe in my pile as it looks very creamy and tasty. Cinnamon is one of my favorite spices.
Quinoa! Love, love, love it, especially with fruit. Looks delicious, Faith!
A quinoa breakfast! What a super idea, Faith! And with lovely peaches…my favorite fruit!
This looks wonderful, Faith! I love porridge and also quinoa! I will have to bookmark it.
You are encouraging me to try quinoa Faith! Hope I can find it around here.
This looks delicious Faith! I’ve seen so many quinoa recipes lately I’m dying to try them all! I’ll bookmark this to add on the list ;-)
Thank you for your kind comments on my blog!!
This looks delicious! I’ve made a number of quinoa recipes but never breakfast! I am bookmarking this one!
Faith, your recipe has inspired me to try Quinoa!! Sounds like such a healthy & delicious recipe with peaches!
Looks like a yummy breakfast!
I love quinoa too and have only recently started using it. I had a packet of it in my cupboard for the longest time unused :P Gorgeous breakfast! :D
I love quinoa but I’ve never tried in a sweet application! This looks so good though. What a great thing to wake up to. :)
Talk about a divine alternative to ho-hum oatmeal! Now, this will definitely get me going in the morning. ;)
Quinoa is great I agree. One of those good for you – GOOD things. Love the light in your last photo- perfect. ~Chef Louise
Quinoa has been on my “must try” list for almost a year now. I really need to buy some b/c I see so many people using it and loving it!
As I type this I am eating quinoa! I love it so much but I can’t say I’ve ever had it for breakfast. I think this is a great idea, especially for Ramadan…I am getting really tired of eating oatmeal at 4:15 am! And I can make this ahead of time.
I haven’t ever tried quinoa but this looks amazing, beautiful pictures Faith.
Such a lovely and healthy recipe, Faith.
Your quinoa porridge aka breakfast looks so tasty!! i also love to use quinoa but there is also quinoa flakes avaible here in Belgium. I use them to make my porridge. If you don’t know what they look like, see @ my blog at this link: http://sophiesfoodiefiles.blogspot.com/2008/11/quinoa-flakes-with-banana-roasted.html
I also use quinoa flakes in breakfast smoothies!
I have yet to try quinoa although the health benefits and this recipe definitely have me tempted to get a move on! This porridge looks like a thoroughly delicious and decadent way to start the day :)
Love the quinoa porridge. Such a healthy food quinoa is. thank you for sharing the recipe.
That looks delicious and healthy….. I love quinoa! Great recipe.
I really want to try quinoa, but they don’t sell it at the store!
I love quinoa, but never thought to use it in a sweet dish. Great idea!
peachy keen quinoa. ha. not only would this taste awesome and be extremely nutritious, but the name rocks my world. :)
It is recipes like this that prove the versatility of quinoa.
This looks wonderful. I’ve never used quinoa this way but am willing to try. I’ll be featuring two quinoa salads this week. I hope you’ll stop by. Have a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
I have not done much with quinoa. Thanks for the tip on soaking. I will have to give it a try.
I’ve been looking for a new way to try quinoa since savory wasn’t tickling my fancy :) I am making your spumoni pudding cake for guests this weekend!! Can’t wait! I bought everything today and my springform pan arrived from amazon!
Quinoa sounds so delicious with the addition of peach, yum!
I’ve been wanting to try quinoa but didn’t know how to make it so thanks for this recipe! It looks yummy!
Okay, so I have quinoa. And it’s been sitting in my pantry for months because I don’t like it. I’ll have to try a sweet version of it. I was a bit ambivalent, but with your full endorsement, I feel a burst of courage! ;-)
I have never had quinoa…can’t remember I ever had. This looks very healthy and delicious. Would be nice for breakfast. Thanks very much for sharing.
Would never have though of using quinoa as a breakfast porridge, but it looks fantastic!
We’ve been experimenting with quinoa too, but have yet to try it for breakfast. I’ll book mark this for when the cool weather arrives.
Mimi
I love quinoa but only have used it for savory dishes. This sounds spectacular!
I make quinoa all the time but have never made it as a breakfast porridge. This is a great idea to satisfy a morning sweet tooth too!
Your peach quinoa porridge looks amazing. Ever since I made peach enchiladas this summer I have been all about the peach. I must try this porridge :)
Quinoa is amazing and so versatile! I love it straight up, savoury or sweet. I bet it’s just awesome with peaches…
I need to include more quinoa in my diet! It’s a super food! And it sounds so luscious prepared like this with peaches. What a treat!
Faith…usually I enjoy the red quinoa the most.
I’ve had it often…and yet…never as a breakfast meal. May have to try getting this type of protein into my tummy a little earlier in the day ;o)
Ciao for now,
Claudia
I made this yesterday for my mom and i, she is dairy and gluten free, and it tasted amazing. I made it with strawberries instead, because we have no peaches, and i added a small pinch of nutmeg. I will definitley make this again.
Just made this and it is SO DELICIOUS! I normally hate eating quinoa as a substitute for rice (the flavor does not agree with me) but this was simply amazing. Thanks so much for the recipe! Love your blog!
Jenny, Thanks so much for your kind words, I’m so glad you liked this porridge! I’m the same way — very sensitive to the bitter flavor of quinoa, no matter how long I rinse the quinoa before cooking. I’ve grown to tolerate it, but in recipes like this I really love it. :)