Quinoa is packed with protein and fiber so it’s time to get creative! This Strawberries and Cream Quinoa is delicious enough to be your new, favorite dessert and healthy enough to be your new, favorite breakfast!
I love quinoa. I even dedicated a whole chapter to it in The Everything Wheat Free Diet Cookbook! I love how healthy and versatile it is and this recipe is a perfect example. This can be easy made for breakfast too instead of your regular oatmeal (now don’t worry, I would NEVER diss oatmeal!) But sometimes you just need to mix it up a bit.
I feel like I am in a food rut these days. I don’t have the time to get creative every night and make healthy snacks and treats to keep me on plan. I am a huge believer in preparation and these can be made in advance. For me, if I don’t prepare my foods in advance I get off track. I made three of these and kept them in the refrigerator to have a healthy snack available. Curse those kids’ snacks! I’ll eat my strawberry quinoa!
Whoa…I just realized that these would also be perfect for Valentine’s Day! Ok, so I totally knew that this would be PERECT for Valentine’s day, I am trying to avoid all of the excess candy and stuff that are around during this lovely holiday. And side note: why do kids come home with just as much candy on Valentine’s Day as Halloween? That drives me CRAZY!
Strawberries and Cream Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quinoa
- 1 cup Vanilla Almond milk
- 1 cup strawberries pureed
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
Instructions
-
Place quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. Rinse and drain quinoa.
-
Combine quinoa and milk in a medium saucepan. Bring to boiling.
-
Cover and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook 10 to 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
-
Add pureed strawberries, chia seeds, vanilla and maple syrup. Mix well and refrigerate for at least an hour, or even overnight. Makes about 2 cups cooked quinoa.
Enjoy this vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free treat/snack/breakfast. I wouldn’t even blame you if you ate it three times in a day. It’ll be our secret! 😉
If you like pudding, then you will love these too!
White Chocolate Raspberry Chia Pudding
Vanilla Chia Pudding Pie with Almond Crust
Chocolate Coconut Chia Pudding
Cherry Vanilla Almond Chia Pudding
Thanks for stopping by!
Julie @ Tastes of Lizzy T says
February 6, 2015 at 12:19 pmWhat a healthy breakfast…or snack…or dessert. Love this alternative to all of the Valentine’s Day candy!
lauren.kelly says
February 6, 2015 at 12:58 pmThanks so much!!
Chicago Jogger says
February 6, 2015 at 12:46 pmThis is such a creative way to use quinoa! I never would have thought to use it in a pudding. You are right, perfect for V Day in that lovely pink color 🙂
lauren.kelly says
February 6, 2015 at 12:58 pmThank you! I loved the color too 🙂
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
February 6, 2015 at 3:15 pmLove this use of quinoa! It sounds so good!
lauren.kelly says
February 6, 2015 at 5:45 pmThanks Jessica!!
Cookin+Canuck says
February 6, 2015 at 3:26 pmThis is such a creative use of quinoa! And what a pretty color you achieved with the strawberries.
lauren.kelly says
February 6, 2015 at 5:45 pmThank you! 🙂
The Food Hunter says
February 6, 2015 at 3:41 pmit looks so pretty!
lauren.kelly says
February 6, 2015 at 5:44 pmThank you!!
Joan says
February 6, 2015 at 4:51 pmHow original! What a creative use of quinoa and strawberries! So healthy and so pretty to look at too!
lauren.kelly says
February 6, 2015 at 5:44 pmThanks so much Joan!
heather+@french+press says
February 6, 2015 at 4:51 pmI love quinoa too, and always forget to try it as I would rice for pudding! such a pretty color too
lauren.kelly says
February 6, 2015 at 5:44 pmThank you Heather!
Bea says
February 6, 2015 at 5:00 pmYum – I have everything needed at home including frozen strawberries we picked last year plus two sick kids. Will have to make this for them today – this will get me out of my food rut 🙂
lauren.kelly says
February 6, 2015 at 5:43 pmOooh I hope you like it Bea!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
February 6, 2015 at 7:48 pmYes please! Such a fun creative dessert Lauren!
lauren.kelly says
February 8, 2015 at 1:31 pmThanks Krista!!
Becky | The Cookie Rookie says
February 7, 2015 at 5:12 amYUM!! I have never made anything like this, can’t wait to try. Thanks for the inspiration!
lauren.kelly says
February 8, 2015 at 1:32 pmThanks Becky! 🙂
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
February 7, 2015 at 6:07 pmI love these naturally pink treats! Can you still taste the quinoa? I’d like to eat quinoa but I don’t like the taste. If you can’t taste it here, then I need to try it. 🙂
lauren.kelly says
February 8, 2015 at 1:36 pmYou really can’t taste it Erin, but it does still have a quinoa texture? I want you to try it! 🙂
Heather // girlichef says
February 7, 2015 at 8:19 pmChia puddings are one of my favorite things, and yours with quinoa must be even better! I love the color from the strawberries, and you’re right – perfect healthy treat for V-day. 🙂
lauren.kelly says
February 8, 2015 at 1:37 pmThanks Heather!!
Paula - bell'alimento says
February 8, 2015 at 12:19 amSo perfect (and healthy) for Valentine’s Day.
lauren.kelly says
February 8, 2015 at 1:39 pmThank ou Paula!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
February 8, 2015 at 2:07 amWhoa, those are really pretty. When I was growing up, Strawberries and Cream was one of my favorite flavor combos! And you’re so right, this is perfect for Valentine’s Day!!!
lauren.kelly says
February 8, 2015 at 1:40 pmThank you Angie!
Kim Beaulieu says
February 8, 2015 at 8:35 amI get in ruts too. Or I go on tangents where I make the same thing with subtle variations to the point of ridiculousness. We’re all so busy with our kids it’s hard to always be super creative. However you knocked it out of the park with this recipe. I didn’t even know you could do this with quinoa so this was enlightening for me. Plus it’s just so darn pretty.
lauren.kelly says
February 8, 2015 at 1:40 pmOh thank you Kim! My ruts seem to be happening more often these days!
Rose | The Clean Dish says
February 9, 2015 at 1:15 amI’m also a huge fan of quinoa! So much so that I kind of overdid it for a little while but I’m definitely back on it! I’m super curious to try this pudding. It looks fresh, healthy, delicious! Helooo Valentine’s Day breakfast 😉
lauren.kelly says
February 10, 2015 at 12:40 pmThank you Rose! Yes, I can overdo it with quinoa too, but this is so different!
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
February 9, 2015 at 4:45 amTruthfully I’m not nuts about quinoa but I do love strawberries and pudding. I might give this a try.
lauren.kelly says
February 10, 2015 at 12:39 pmTry it, Val!
Nutmeg Nanny says
February 9, 2015 at 12:59 pmI have a total love hate relationship with quinoa. Sometimes it rocks my worlds other times I wish I was eating something else…haha. However, there is no doubt in my mind that if I were eating this it would be rocking my world! I love that you took something has humble as a quinoa and turned it into a delicious Valentine’s Day inspired treat.
lauren.kelly says
February 10, 2015 at 12:39 pmI get it Brandi, I like quinoa but I go through stages when I get sick of it. My husband is begging me to make these again!
Amanda@The Kitcheneer says
February 10, 2015 at 10:23 amthis is so creative! I love everything about this recipe and will be adding this one to my weekly meal plan next week on my Crossfit days for fuel! 🙂
lauren.kelly says
February 10, 2015 at 12:39 pmThanks so much Amanda! I hope you like it!
Barb says
February 11, 2015 at 1:57 pmI made these over the weekend and it was a big hit with my hub. I actually chilled them in the fridge for a few hours after making and I have to tell you it was such a cool and refreshing dessert. Think summertime treat 🙂 Thanks for sharing this!!
lauren.kelly says
February 11, 2015 at 4:11 pmI am so glad you liked it Barb!
Catherine says
June 1, 2015 at 1:58 pmDear Lauren, this looks wonderful…I love the color. A perfect start to the day. xo, Catherne