Good morning!
I made us breakfast.
There’s not an ounce of butter in it. Clearly I’m not feeling myself.
Grains and applesauce and fruit and nuts. Delicious. Wholesome. True.
We’ll eat it and feel utterly contented. Then we’ll have butter for lunch. Let’s be real.
My new friend Natalie came to my house for wine and cobbler. No biggie.
Among the many side-splitting words that came out of her mouth that evening were “breakfast” and “quinoa”. Yes. Perfect.
That Natalie mixes applesauce into her breakfast quinoa is only further evidence that she is rad, and I have excellent taste in new friends.
Don’t you love quinoa? Quinoa is a grain a seed full of magic. It’s a complete protein… and it’s a plant! Quinoa is full of amino acids and proteins… the sorts of things that our bodies love. For breakfast with nuts and fruit? Amazing. So healthy.
Look at us putting our healthy pants on. Just supreme.
Consider this post as more of a suggestion.
Sure, there’s a recipe to follow, but you can load this quinoa up with any fruit, nut, or milk you like.
It’s your breakfast… I certainly don’t mean to impose.
Breakfast Quinoa with toasted coconut, almonds and fresh mango
Thanks, Natalie. You’re a gemstone.
Makes enough for 2 breakfasts
1 cup red or yellow quinoa (or a mix!)
2 cups water
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons applesauce
2 tablespoons shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
4 tablespoons slivered almonds
1/2 to 1 cup fresh mango chunks
milk to taste
brown sugar to taste
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread coconut in a single layer across the sheet. Toast the coconut. Keep a close eye on the coconut, it could burn quickly. Coconut will be browned and fragrant after about 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and place in a small bowl. Place almonds on the baking sheet. Toast almonds for about 6 to 10 minutes, until browned and fragrant. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in a small bowl.
Rinse dry quinoa. Place quinoa, salt, and water in a medium pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer the quinoa until all of the water is absorbed. Stir occasionally. Turn off the flame and allow quinoa to cool slightly.
In a bowl, combine a heaping spoonful of quinoa, applesauce, a sprinkling of almonds and coconut, a generous helping of fresh mango, a sprinkling of sugar and a splash of milk. Enjoy. It’s breakfast.
129 Responses
This was absolutely delicious and kept me full all morning!! Thank you!!
LOVE this recipe. Toasted coconut is literally one of my favorite things on earth – the smell is intoxicating – and having it with some quinoa for breakfast would be amazing! Can’t wait to try this, thanks!
I stumbled onto your website yesterday after searching for quinoa recipes and am so excited to try the “breakfast” recipe above for dinner tonight! We are a preservative free household and quinoa is a new ingredient on our pantry shelf that always felt so intimidating, but your recipe feels so simple and cookable! Thanks for making a new food seem less scary :)
This looks sooooooo delicious and stunning can’t wait to try it out :D Cheeers Joy i’ve really rediscovered my love for baking since being recommended this site :D
Okay, Wow. I know Im a little slow on the uptake, but I bought some quinoa back in April after reading your post. I have never tried it before, so was a little iffy.
However, today I braved it and combined it with vanilla hazelnut yoghurt, peaches, brown sugar and coconut – delish!! I think I shall make it more often :)
I loved this recipe so much I linked to it on my vintage sewing and quilting blog!
https://hand-quilter.blogspot.com/2011/05/things-that-have-caught-my-eye-2.html
Sam xox
I made this the other day and it was super tasty! I have NEVER liked hot cereals – partly because of the mushy texture, but I decided to give this a go. The quinoa cooked up perfectly with that little bit of “pop” in every grain. I only made a 1/2 cup (with 1 cup water) since my hubby was already at work and I wasn’t sure I’d like it. It made enough for at least 3-4 servings (about 1/3-1/2 cup) of this for me – so cooking a full cup would easily make a week’s worth of breakfasts, especially if you eat smaller servings like I tend to. I changed it up by using vanilla coconut milk (can’t have cow’s milk), chopped pecans, diced fresh apple, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of agave nectar. I was really surprised how much I enjoyed it! And what’s more, it held me over for 3 solid hours at work and I usually need to eat every 2 hours. I’m going to try it without the cinnamon and with fresh raspberries today. :D
I’m new to quinoa and haven’t tried it yet. Due to the lack of gluten, everyone keeps telling me I’ve got to try it. I haven’t been able to find it in the stores…i figured out why when I was verbally talking to a friend about it and she kept looking at me like I was a crazy person. “What is Kwi-NO-uh?” she finally asked. I described the grain and she laughed, “Kin-O-ah?”
I haven’t been able to find it because I haven’t been able to pronounce it! Now I can’t read or hear the word without laughing.
Gwen…have you found “KEEN-wa” yet? =) If you have any sort of health food store around (Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, etc.), they’ll have it (and they’ll know what it is!). If you live in a place like I do that doesn’t have those magical stores, check out the international section of your local grocery store, find healthy stores when you go out of town and stock up, or, you can always order online (AlterEco has many varieties!) enjoy!
I make quinoa for bfast lots – with apple, almonds, maple syrup. In fact, I’m gonna have that tomorrow. I like mango lots, but it just doesn’t sound that great with hot cereal. Sorry, just not a fan of this one!
Okay…so for real? I was NOT expecting this deliciousness to taste so, well, delicious. Unreal. And the possibilities are nearly endless as far as substitutions and additions go.
My new favorite breakfast food that doesn’t include bacon. Or butter. Or other things I’d feel guilty about eating for the rest of the day.
I’m super excited to try this recipe too. Although..I wouldn’t feel bad about eating bacon. Or butter. In fact, I’d feel really good about eating them. As long as it’s the right kind of bacon. And butter. ;)
Tiff
I’m totally going to make this for breakfast in the morning. I just have to go and buy applesauce when I get off work, amazingly I have everything else already! I feel this and versions like it will be a staple breakfast and snack in my new healthier eating habits. Yay for yummy tasting good for you food! :)
this looks aammaaazzziinggg! completely what ive been looking for to eat!!
Thanks so much Joy and Natalie! :D
Mmmm, good morning, fresh mango! I tried my very first mango ever last week. Delicious!
Yay for wholesome goodness!
I love quinoa!! Have you ever been to Bloom in LA? They make an awesome chicken tandoori with quionoa & lentils that is to die for!!! Their secret is that they cook the quinoa (& lentils too) with coconut milk. I’m guessing that would be a super yummy addition to this recipe. Thanks for the incredible recipe. I can’t wait to try it.
you’re so heathly, joy. it kills me! great recipe, though!
This looks soooo good! I’m going to make it for breakfast tomorrow (or maybe it’s breakfast for dinner night!). By the way, quinoa is a pseudocereal (apparently not a true grain) and is closely related to beets (weird). Wikipedia says so, anyway: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa
Forgot to mention, sometimes quinoa tastes bitter if you don’t soak it first for 30 minutes. It’s got a coating on it (that keeps birds from eating it before harvest) that is poisonous if eaten in large quantities.
Such a great idea! I love quinoa so will have to try this out! Thanks for sharing.
They look yummy! Must try! Love that song… also Billionaire!!!
Oh. Oh goodness. It just so happens that I have all of these items as of two days ago. So I have no excuse not to make this.
I felt so inspired to make this! It was delicious, especially the mango chunks and little bits of brown sugar nestled in those quinoa pellets. Exactly what I needed this morning, but one warning: it’s a little too light and sweet to be a satisfying dinner. I’ll definitely be experimenting with other fruits and nuts in the future.
Thanks Joy! Now back to our regular butter injections, I hope…
Yummm this breakfast looks delish!
i LOVE quinoa with a splash of heavy cream and dark chocolate chips melted in it! it’s my late night (kinda) naughty snack. =)
WOW
I am dying to try this! I love every single thing about this recipe on paper!!!
I think I jst died and went to breakfast heaven. THIS SOUNDS AMAZING
wow this looks pretty aaamazing!
I never make it to the comments section when there is still a reasonable number.
Still, I would be remiss not to share today’s breakfast. Quinoa patties. Seriously. They are so similar to tater tots in texture that I think I need to form them into smaller “tots” and throw them in the oven. I’d share the recipe, but it’s not mine, it’s Heidi Swanson’s from her newest book, Super Natural Every Day.
I’ve found a new obsession. And it’s full of protein! :)
So…I don’t have a great relationship with my healthy pants…they don’t fit really well. But, I love coconut, and almonds, and toasted even! I’m absolutely tempted to try the healthy pants on again….I’ll let you know how it goes.
mmm quinoa sounds a little exotic, a little unknown, to me! but well, never know till you try, right?
I love quinoa at breakfast! Never had it with mango before…… I’m going to try this for sure! Looks so fresh and yummy!!
I love quinoa! This sounds like an amazing dish
How do you cut your mango into niche chunks like that? I have no idea how to cut mangos so they usually end up in a huge mess
I’ve never had quinoa. I usually burn things rather than toast them (for example, I overbrowned my snack pancake in the TOASTER this evening – who does that?). But this sounds like a great, fresher alternative to oatmeal!! Summer breakfast favorite maybe?!
This looks so good! I can’t wait to try it…
I love quinoa but I’ve never seen it in red. Very pretty.
I love breakfast quinoa! My favorite combo so far includes blueberries, sliced banana, cinnamon, and chopped almonds. Toasted coconut and fresh mango also sound delish! :)
Thank you for inspiring tomorrow’s breakfast, Joy! I’ve been looking for a recipe worthy of the fresh mango on my kitchen counter, and I just happen to have all the other ingredients! Serendipity!
I make quinoa porridge with cinnamon, brown sugar, apples and cinnamon. I love it but my kids won’t touch it (even though they eat oatmeal every day). This recipe looks amazing!
Never thought to eat quinoa for breakfast. YUM!
I just bought some Red Quinoa this weekend! I have never tried the red stuff! Thanks for the great idea! I can’t wait to give it a try!
Yum! I loove finding gorgeous healthy breakfast recipes like this. I’ve seen a similar sweet quinoa recipe elsewhere and I’m trying to pluck up the courage to make it.. I think you may have finally convinced me!
This looks awesome! Just made a savory quinoa dish with mango, lime, cilantro, etc. but definitely need to try the breakfast/sweet version. Yum!
Yumalicious! I never would have thought to have quinoa for breakfast, even though I adore it for lunch and dinner. Can’t wait to give it a try. And Joy – you have such a lovely collection of dishes – where do you find these beauties? I certainly need to revamp my dish collection…
I have just discovered quinoa and am so excited to try this! Oatmeal every day for breakfast is getting boring…this is going to be awesome!
What’s in this mango?!
I don’t have a ton of experience with quinoa, but (maybe my water tastes funny but) I don’t really like it when I boil it in water, so I’ve always made it in a chicken broth. Do you think if I made it like this for breakfast I could use apple juice as the boiling liquid? That’s what I do for oatmeal…
i never had quinoa before.. is it like rice or is it like oatmeal? or neither?!
i’m certainly lost- o_O!
but anyways i do have mango at least- it is really sour because i got the real mango not the precut ones so that i could feel fancy and somewhat exotic today! i’m sure it’ll taste wonderful thou joy, thnk u~
Sounds like a delicious breakfast! Great Idea!
YUM! This looks delish! Can’t wait to try it!
I just posted a quinoa salad recipe on Friday:
https://joeycake.blogspot.com/2011/04/peachy-quinoa.html
I like you. Jolie.
This is cooler than cool. If I made quinoa for breakfast, I’m pretty sure that the rest of my day would consist of running around, telling other people that I just ate quinoa for breakfast. It’s just never occurred to me that this stuff could work for brekkie. Sounds delish!
Um, yes please? This looks decadent even though I know it would be pretty good for me! Love the combination of coconut and mango. Like being in a tropical paradise for breakfast. Yum.
this looks great!! so fresh and tropical~I likey like. :)
Yes and please to this! Reminds me of the quinoa porridge at my favorite brunch spot, which has Agave nectar, cinnamon, cardamom, golden raisins, fresh berries, cream, and fresh berry compote (<– did I just cut and paste that from their website menu? Maybe.)
Not to get all creeptown on you, but if you ever journey to the East Coast, some ladyfriends and I have a hybrid potluck/picnic society of which you should probably become an honorary member. Just sayin.
This looks simply delightful!
Hum that looks so healthy and complete breakfast! This is such a nice idea to have it for breakfast!
Oh this sounds yummy! I keep hearing about quinoa, so I bought it, but haven’t tried it. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
I just ate three dinner rolls with butter. Wish I had read this first – perhaps I would have resisted… I need a new pair of healthy pants.
After the weekend I had, I think a healthy hazmat suit would be more effective.
Ha ha, color me intrigued.
this is also great if you substitute 1 cup of apple juice for 1 cup of the water, then add some cinnamon and nutmeg and dried cranberries. i keep apple juice concentrate in the freezer and just throw a few tablespoons in when i make breakfast quinoa. sooooo warm and delicious and healthy!
I love quinoa in salads but for some reason I don’t think about it for breakfast (though I did make a fantastic quinoa muffin once). Yum!
I have been on a serious quinoa kick lately! In fact I recently just wrote all about quinoa and shared and recipe for a quinoa pilaf on my blog. I can’t wait to add this breakfast quinoa to my quinoa recipe collection!
Delicious! This totally made my morning!
Clearly I did something quite wrong when I made quinoa because it was dreadful. Threw away an entire box.
I eat quinoa all the time (I’m literally eating it right now, with chickpeas and tomatoes, for lunch), but have never made it for breakfast, though I’ve been dying to try it. I think this post has officially inspired me to give it a go!
I might never have tried polenta for breakfast if it weren’t for you (and now we have it every week), so if you say quinoa for breakfast is delish… I won’t doubt it a bit! And you can bet I’ll be trying this soon!
this looks right up my alley. i have had quinoa for breakfast a total of one time and it was fabulous – why have i never done it again? thanks for the reminder! your version looks amazing.
I love having quinoa for breakfast, but I’ve never had it quite like this before. It looks so delicious, Joy! I’d make some right now if I had a fresh mango. Pity I don’t. : ( But that just means I have something to look forward to. :) Thanks so much for sharing your breakfast with us. :)
I’ve been so scared of quinoa, but your breakfast looks amazing. I think I might have to go out and buy some and make a similar breakfast, asap!
I have just discovered you blog and I love it! I am looking forward to going over old posts and am anticipating new ones! Love your colour sense and style. Everything is just so inviting and yummy looking.
Sounds pretty dang delicious to me! It’s so colorful and pretty to boot!
I have never done quinoa for breakfast but it sounds fantastic! I am a mango nut, so the flavor combo sounds fantastic to me! The apple sauce is, indeed, true genius, but I bet that you coul add a chopped up apple to the cooking quinoa instead, if you have apples but no apple sauce. This is how i make oatmeal, and it is wonderful.
Thanks for this post. We are going to try to grow quinoa in our garden this year. It cooks easily in our solar ovens-which means it is more like brunch at our place :).
I love all the healthy stuff that is going on over here at the moment :) Quinoa for breakfast, how awesome!
Making. This. Right. Now. Thank you Joy. You’re the best
quinoa is actually a seed, silly joy! it’s good for people who have trouble digesting grains (like me). i always forget to consider it as a breakfast option. thanks for the reminder.
AH you are brilliant. I LOVE QUINOA and this looks scrumptious!
Yum! This seems like such a great change from oatmeal. Quinoa is so good!
I’ve never thought of quinoa for breakfast! I usually make a tabbouleh quinoa for dinner, but I need to try this! YUM!
Quinoa for breakfast is perfect. I have been cooking whole grains for breakfast for years now and quinoa is the newest member of that routine. It’s nuttiness with fruit is delicious. I might skip the mango though, but that is just me!
I will have to try this, but probably for dinner. I don’t know about you, but I love breakfast for dinner!
That is so healthy and delicious. I wonder if something similar could be done with oatmeal? Possibly with Heidi’s cookbook recipe on Baked oatmeal?
I’ve been wanting to try quinoa for such a long time now, so thanks for the inspiration! And I LOOOOOVE toasted coconut. On anything. And everything.
I love quinoa for breakfast…I don’t do it that often though, so it is a treat when I whip it out. This looks fantastic!
Thank the Lord! I attempted to make breakfast quinoa once before, and it was a total disaster. I knew it could be done! Thanks for the recipe. I’ll definitely have to give it a go.
I love quinoa, but check this out: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/world/americas/20bolivia.html
Us eating so much of it is raising the global price so that Bolivians can’t afford it, and they’re turning to processed foods! I just feel like that’s really sad, and now I don’t know whether to stop eating quinoa or not.
Looks yummy, as always.
Did you try cooking it in coconut milk, or adding coconut milk to taste? It’s so damn good, and extra healthy!
I love healthy pants! They fit much nicer than my in healthy ones! Lovely recipe, quinoa works in so many ways.
Thanks for mixing in healthy recipes! I might have to try this today with frozen mango, since that is what I have.
Joy- Is there any chance you will be making hot cross buns soon? I know I can find a recipe somewhere, but it would be so much more fun to see your version. :-)
i’ll make some hot cross buns this week! thanks for the reminder!
What a great suggestion! I always think of quinoa as savory lunch/dinner, but I see no reason at all why it wouldn’t make an amazing breakfast. Yum!
How delicious. I love love the red quinoa! I have yet to try the yellow version actually.
Normally I eat oatmeal or an omelette for breakfast. Today I had 1.5 donuts leftover from a weekend splurge. All this talk of healthy quinoa is making feel like a bad girl and I can feel the sugar coursing through my veins. Well…there’s always tomorrow.
i love quinoa for breakfast! i tend to treat it like oatmeal with the toppings – some agave, bananas, and cinnamon stirred in with just a splash of milk to tie it all together is divine.
i have always thought about tossing in some pomegranate seeds and blueberries, and skipping the cinnamon & going with light agave and maybe some fresh mint would be awesome too. thoughts?
now i am drooling! im at my desk with a dented banana and lukewarm tea and no access to delish breakfast quinoa. tragic!
Quinoa is a perfect way to start the day. Sure brilliance ladies! This dishy-dish is all tropical and likes the idea of swim suits and shorts…. This is good.
Joy, do you have any advice on how to slice a mango so it doesn’t turn into a mess? I bought one the other day, tried to cut it open, and was thwarted by the enormous pit and the squashiness of the fruit. I seriously felt like a monkey trying to figure out how to use tools.
https://veganyumyum.com/2007/02/how-to-slice-a-mango/
Quinoa is a great grain for breakfast because all the protein helps keep you full. I love your mix-ins.
glorious!
i loooove quinoa, the texture is so satisfying! that sliiiiight pop makes me so happy every time i bite into it!
i’m always looking for ideas to use my quinoa! i’ll have to try this one day. it will be a struggle to give up a muffin or scone, but i will try….
Quinoa is great for breakfast. I’ve made mine with almond milk instead of water and it gives the quinoa a maple flavor! Yummy
This looks great, despite the lack of butter. I’m very boring in my breakfast choices (I have pretty much the same thing every day) and very boring in my choices of grains (pretty much just oats, wheat, rice and barley). I have got to try quinoa though. It really does look wonderful. Even without butter! :)
THIS must be a sign! Because a few minutes ago–not even 7 AM yet–I was lying in my bed listening to country music and trying to figure out how weird it would be if I brought my Computer teacher a mango. (I bring people mangoes when I like them.) I’m totally taking this as a sign! Weeeeee!
Oh buddy, I love me some quinoa. Quinoa and I have become besties lately, especially since I’m training for my first marathon. It’s one of the few foods that prevents that pass-y out-y feeling for me during long runs when your body is screaming “WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME, YOU CRAZY IDIOT?!” Anywaaay, I also shake it up sometimes with bulghur or a combo of the two. Oh, now that’s just crazy talk.
Love the stuff – but hadn’t thought about it for breakfast. With the hot weather setting in here (bye bye porridge) and the alphonso mango season nearly upon us, this is in poll position for becoming my breakfast of choice for the next few months. Thanks for the inspiration Joy.
This is perfect timing because I have to substitute quinoa for oatmeal during Passover. I love the addition of mango!
Oooh! I’m definitely making it this week. It is so….. different and revolutionary compared to Tiramisu or chocolate-coffee-coconut cake for breakfast. must try.
Do you think uncooked quinoa will go well in homemade granola?
i think uncooked quinoa would be too crunchy in homemade granola.
i have no idea what quinoa is but that is a delicious looking breakfast!!!
I’ve struggled with breakfast quinoa in the past – but this looks as though it might persuade me yet…thanks for sharing!
Quinoa is one of those things that’s always seemed a little bit scary but maybe I should overcome my fear and dive right in.
Mmm, I was just contemplating breakfast quinoa the other day. I love the way it crunches, plus it’s gluten-free! (not that I am…)
Natalie shares a name with my two year old niece. Bonus points.
Quinoa oh Quinoa! It’s my go-to breakfast besides oatmeal. The addition of mango and coconut makes it so tropical and summery – I love it! I think I will be trying it sometime next week, after my new shipment of quinoa arrives.
i’m taking this suggestion & running with it. now to buy quinoa!
Great start to the day! You could add flax seeds for omega-3, but that would become too healthy:) On the other hand I read that eating fatty food (like the big English breakfast) in the morning is good for you – it increases metabolism and reduces chances of cravings later in the day.
That looks absolutely amazing! I really enjoy reading your blog (as well as looking at your photos)…