Tag Archives: Quinoa Recipe

Fruit and Quinoa Granola, Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Guess what makes really great granola other than oats? Quinoa Flakes!

As someone who cross reacts to gluten when eating gluten free oats, quinoa flakes have been a very happy discovery! It can be substituted anywhere oats are called for.

This is a healthy granola recipe that is made with three kinds of dried fruit. I’ve included dried blueberries, raisins and turkish figs in this recipe.

It is sweetened with maple syrup, and the fat used is heart healthy olive oil. I added a touch of warming cozy cinnamon.

How do you like to eat granola? I like it as a yogurt topping and just plain by the handful.

Fruit & Quinoa Granola, Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Ingredients:

3 Cups of Quinoa Flakes (my go to gluten free brand)

1/3 Cup of Pure Maple Syrup

1/4 Cup of good Olive Oil

1/2 Teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon

1/8 Teaspoon of Salt

1/2 Cup of Turkish Figs, diced

1/3 Cup of Dried Blueberries

1/3 Cup of Raisins

Directions:

Spread your quinoa flakes in an even layer on a baking sheet, and toast for 8 minutes stirring half way through.

Remove quinoa flakes from the oven and place them in a large mixing bowl.

Heat the maple syrup, olive oil, cinnamon and salt over medium high heat to a rolling boil. Pour the hot mixture over the bowl of toasted quinoa flakes, and stir until evenly and thoroughly coated.

Spread the granola on a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake in the oven for 18 minutes, stirring half way through after 9 minutes.

Remove the granola from the oven and stir in the dried fruit.

Cool completely on the baking sheet before storing in an airtight container.

This will keep for at least a week at room temperature.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Loaf with Turkish Figs

Fall is almost here ready or not! About this time of year I start thinking about warm spices, pumpkin and comforting quick breads. I can’t imagine many things better than a mini spice loaf with pumpkin and Turkish figs made with healthy, delicious whole grains for that hearty texture. It is a perfect mix of late Summer and Fall.

A slice of this loaf is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea.

Quinoa is a complete protein and a whole grain that is gluten free. Quinoa flakes are a great substitute for oats too.

Dried Turkish Figs are bigger than Mission Figs and lighter in color. Their flavor is absolutely delicious, and they are naturally sweet and jammy in texture. They make a great snack straight up, but are so good in baking. I actually prefer these to Mission Figs.

Figs are rich in minerals and fiber, and dried Turkish Figs are a convenient way to enjoy them year round.

This mini loaf will give you about 6 thick slices! It is moist and keeps very well wrapped tightly in the refrigerator for several days. Let’s bake!

Gluten Free Spice Loaf with Turkish Figs

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a mini loaf pan.

Ingredients:

1 Egg

1/3 Cup of Quinoa Flakes (I love these g/f ones from Nuts.com)

1/4 Cup of Canned Pumpkin

2 Tablespoons of Quinoa Flour

2 Tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt

2 Tablespoons of olive oil

2 Tablespoons of maple syrup

1/2 Cup of Turkish figs (I get these delicious organic ones from Nuts.com)

1 Teaspoon of ground flax

1/2 Teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon of ground allspice

1/4 Teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/4 Teaspoon of baking soda

1/8 Teaspoon of salt

Directions:

Coarsely chop your figs and remove the stems. Whisk together your egg, maple syrup, pumpkin, yogurt, vanilla and olive oil. Add the flax, cinnamon and allspice and whisk. In a separate small bowl, stir together the quinoa flour, salt and baking soda. Whisk this into the batter. Then, stir in the quinoa flakes. Fold in approximately 2/3rds of the chopped turkish figs, reserving the rest for the top.

Spoon the batter into your prepared pan. Arrange the remaining chopped figs on top of the loaf. Bake the loaf in your preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the middle of the loaf springs back when pressed. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Then, run a knife around the pan before turning out to cool completely.

Toasted Quinoa Goji Berry Cocoa Energy Balls

These are like a bowl of hot cereal in a ball, which makes them great for breakfast. I love the whole grain earthiness of these energy balls and all the great nutrition in them. The coating of raw cocoa powder on the outside gives them the perfect bittersweet flavor when you bite into them plus an extra nutrition boost.

Not only are these great for breakfast, but for a mid-morning or afternoon snack.

The flavor of toasted quinoa flakes is warm, nutty and gives them depth of flavor. I get my organic non-GMO quinoa flakes at nuts.com. They come in a nice sized bag of one pound or five pounds. Quinoa is a complete protein, it contains all nine essential amino acids, so it is a wonderful choice for breakfast or snacking! It’s also a great source of iron and dietary fiber and easy to digest, because it’s actually a seed, but the nutrition world considers it a whole grain.

Goji Berries contain antioxidants and Vitamins A and C and Zeaxanthin which is good for eye health. Dried ones are chewy, and earthy which gives these balls substance, meaning if you like chewy whole grain textures, you will like these a lot. A few of these with a cup of hot tea on a stormy day, like today here, is perfect.

The kitchen smells so good when you are toasting the quinoa flakes, warm and homey. Here’s the recipe.

Toasted Quinoa Goji Berry Cocoa Energy Balls

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cup of Quinoa Flakes (I love these organic gluten free ones!)

1 Medium Sized Ripe Banana

3/4 Cup of Dried Goji Berries (organic, sundried, no sulphur ones are my choice.)

1/4 Cup of Maple Syrup

2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons of Ground Flax

2 Tablespoons of Cocoa Powder (reserved for rolling) I use raw cacao

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

1/2 Teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon of Ground Allspice

1/4 Teaspoon of Salt

Directions:

On a rimmed cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, spread out your quinoa flakes in a even layer. Toast in your preheated oven for seven minutes stirring halfway through. This will be after five minutes.

Remove the quinoa flakes from the oven when golden brown and set aside to cool.

Place your goji berries in a food processor with a blade attachment and pulverize them on high until they are mostly powder with a few bits left. This takes about one minute. Add the flax and banana (broken into pieces) and blend on high. Scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Now, add the remaining ingredients except for the quinoa flakes and cocoa powder. Blend until very smooth, scraping down the food processor once. Add the toasted quinoa flakes and pulse until they are evenly and completely blended into your energy mix. It should be thick and easy to scoop.

Lay out a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and put the cocoa powder on a small plate beside it for rolling. With a cookie scoop, scoop out tablespoon sized balls and drop them right onto the cocoa powder. Roll them around with your fingers until coated with the cocoa and then pick them up and perfect them into balls. Place them on the cookie sheet two inches apart. This recipe makes 14 energy balls.

Bake in your preheated 350 degree F. oven for ten minutes. Remove them from the oven, and cool completely on the cookie sheet before eating. These will store in a sealed container on your countertop.

These are a healthy gluten free snack that will give you energy, fiber and great nutrition.