Quinoa is HOT these days. People are loving it served up savory, sweet and everywhere in between. They like it in salads and for breakfast. It is a grain-like crop that is actually a tasty seed. It is high in protein and adapts well to sauces, seasonings, spices and all kinds of mix-ins.
I cannot believe we are almost in the middle of August. The summer has been flying by and it has been a blast. We are embracing the fruits of the season. We love ripe cherries and berries. The bluebird days in Telluride are stunning. There’s alot to do and having home cooked meals to get us going is essential.
With all of the hiking we have been doing here in the mountains a great big breakfast is a key to happy moods and high energy levels.
The wonderful thing about a meal like this is you can change it up quickly to use whatever seasonal fruits you have on hand, Once the weather changes feel free to use thawed frozen fruit or fall/winter seasonal finds. I promise you will be happy no matter what.
Of course, you don’t need to use black quinoa in this recipe. White, red, rainbow. Anything will do. If you do not have this seed on hand sub in some oat bran, oatmeal, amaranth, buckwheat, etc. These parfaits are friendly to those on gluten-free diets.
Serve up cool or hot. Either way is wonderful and a bit different. When you heat the fruit it gets sweet and saucy.
Lately, I love using mason jars both for presentation and storage. I prepare a few of these layer breakfast parfaits ahead of time. They last a few days in the fridge and can be reheated as needed. You just unscrew the lid and pop ’em in the microwave until warm. Now there are no excuses to stop at a fast food joint. Right?
Do you have a favorite breakfast parfait? How do you like to prepare quinoa?
Fruit and Egg Quinoa Breakfast Parfaits
1 serving (this makes a full breakfast, you can go bigger or smaller if needed)
NOTES:
- Feel free to use whatever seasonal fruits you have on hand. Dried fruit would be great too. If using frozen fruit, let it thaw and drain before using.
- I prepare a few of these layer breakfast parfaits ahead of time. Store in the mason jars and re-heat as needed. They last a few days in the fridge.
- Make lots quinoa ahead of time. Leftovers are a great thing for quick ‘n easy breakfasts. Besides you can use it for lunches, dinners, etc.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup dry quinoa, cook according to package directions. You will have lots to use for other parfaits or what-not.
- 1 whole large Egg + 2 Egg Whites (2 ounces)
- pinch of fine Sea Salt
- a splash of Milk, Unsweetened Coconut Milk or your favorite
- a few drops of English Toffee or Vanilla Stevia Drops if desired
- fresh Berries, Cherries, Currants, Pomegranate, Peach or whatever you have on hand, cut into bite-sized pieces
- a dash of Cinnamon or your favorite spice
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS
- Toasted Nuts
- Unsweetened Coconut Flake
- Dark Chocolate Chips
- a spoonful of natural Peanut, Almond, Cashew Butter
- extra Coconut Milk, Milk or any milk you like
- some thick Greek Yogurt
- a splash of Heavy Cream
METHOD
Divide cooked quinoa into 4 equal portions. Whisk eggs with some sea salt and a splash of milk. Add a few drops of stevia if you like. Scramble eggs in a small skillet. Layer eggs, quinoa, and berries in bowls or mason jars. Top with fresh fruit. Serve immediately or seal in jars/containers in the fridge. Heat as needed.
Quinoa Breakfast Links
- Lovely and Light Apple Almond Quinoa Oh She Glows
- Clustered Quinoa Granola What Katie’s Baking
- Honey Coconut Quinoa Eden Kitchen
- Pumpkin Pie Quinoa Bake Healthful Pursuit
- Raspberry Almonds Coconut Breakfast Quinoa Beantown Baker
- Snickerdoodle Quinoa Flake Bake Healthful Pursuit
Those are beautiful Marla!
Beautiful photos and I would love to start my morning with this parfait!
A delicious looking creation! What a healthy breakfast item.
Cheers,
Rosa
this is such a great idea, Marla! I love that you can change this up with the seasons and whatever fruit is ripe.
What a gorgeous breakfast! I usually prepare quinoa as a salad or side, and I’ll admit, I’ve never tried it with sweet flavors. I’ll have the give the parfait a try. Love the presentation!
Thanks Carrie! We love quinoa as a savory too. Just a really quick, easy, healthy, versatile ingredient!
Absolutely lovely, hearty breakfast. This would be a great start for a school day!
I love quinoa for breakfast and make it warm with oats and soy milk. So good. I love this cold version, besides who wouldn’t love a parfait for breakfast?
What a wonderful find coming here to your blog after reading your lovely comment over at “Snippets”. I have been having fun with quinoa as well recently. Your photos are beautiful and those mountain scenes look gorgeous.
This sounds really yummy, but guess I will have to use oat bran I have never seen Quinoa around, but on the other hand as I have not heard of it I have not looked for it 🙂 Diane
Love quinoa for breakfast – usually as a porridge – but this looks like a great way to start the day. x
Yum! I love quinoa and have been wanting to start including it in my breakfasts. Can’t wait to try this!
This is such a healthy breakfast idea! I love how protein packed it is. Awesome idea!
I love hiking – those images are really lovely. And this breakfast! This is the kind of breakfast I can get behind.
Printing this recipe BIG~time!
Everything you make is CUTE and HAPPY and HEALTHY!
You make me SMILE…that’s for sure!
Look at your adorable family hiking these trails!
I am telling you…I have fallen DEEP in love with Telluride!
Do you have a fear of BEARS on the trails?
I have a phobia of bears and it is a major hinderance in my life.
I think I need to get hypnotized. {not kidding} ;o)
ENJOY Telluride my friend.
I LOVE this happy~healthy recipe.
Love the black quinoa!
xo
Teresa, interesting you should ask about the bears. They have been EVERYWHERE this year. My friends showed me some on video the other day & the bears were right outside where we stay. I try to hike with buddies and I say a lot of prayers 😉 I have not seen any yet. Yes, I get freaked but the wild life is part of what makes these mountain towns spectacular. I do hike daily and I need to get some bear bells desperately. We make a lot of noise and try to hold conversation the whole time so we don’t sneak up on anyone 😉 Bottom line: I get your fear. I think what freaks me more or equal to are mountain lions. Arghhhhh….
I am still gonna get you to hike with me some day!! XXOO
I used to be on a huge quinoa kick, but kind of got out of the habit. This looks fabulous, though! Never tried a “sweet” version, only savory.
I love how versatile quinoa can be used. And your version is simply mouth-watering – savory and sweet. Happy hiking and have fun before summer ends 🙂
Thanks Kiran! Doesn’t take much effort to have fun around here! Non stop action with bright blue skies 🙂 Glad you like the parfaits and hope you guys have a wonderful last few weeks of summer too!
Breath taking photos as always. Love the one of the family hiking down the trail
That is the perfect breakfast in a jar. Everything you need to jumpstart your day. You are incredibly creative! Love it!
Angie, you will find me with lots of breakfasts in jars this year at Starbucks after we drop the kids at school. Make that breakfast #2 for the day 🙂 It was life changing taking the kids down Telluride Trail for the very first time as a family with NO baby jogger.
What a lovely and healthy to-go snack! Thanks for the great idea. Taking it!
The food is pretty, but the scenery and the special times you are having is just…magical!!! Wow my friend, so happy for you!! It looks every bit as beautiful as I knew it was…and even more so.
You have mad, crazy photography skills. You blow me away, daily, with all these images!
Averie,
“mad, crazy photography skills”
You just made my day. Really.
xxoo
That looks SO good!!!! 😀
Marla, how easy and simple and gorgeous at the same time. I love the hiking pictures too!
Hey Julie, soooooo simple & easy. That is the very beauty of whole foods. Glad you like the “recipe” 🙂
Wonderful idea Marla!!! A perfect breakfast for anytime but especially before hiking!
Looks like you all are having a fabulous time!!
So pretty! I love that you used a darker colored quinoa in here. Makes it stand out nicely 🙂
Cute and trendy in the jars!
Parfaits for breakfast is hot too! Very beautiful clicks.
I’ve loved quinoa since BEFORE it was hot but I’ve never had it in a sweet dish! These parfaits look like the perfect place to start! Gorgeous photography, bursting with color!
Looks very healthy and delicious.Perfect energizer breakfast for hiking. And such a beautiful place
Omg, I love these — so pretty and cute in the jars!
Sorry — I hit the wrong button! I’ve made the quinoa pudding recipe from Kim Boyce’s Good to the Grain. Have you tried that yet? I think that I sort of, might have, um, eaten it for breakfast once or twice, though it’s meant more as a dessert…
Those. Are. Gorgeous.
I absolutely love black quinoa, so this will be the next thing I make with it.
LOVE IT.
I love this sweet-savory breakfast idea–and I love Telluride! Beautiful area.
Gorgeous pictures! You have me craving a good, long hike…and some quinoa! I’ve never made it for breakfast before, but love this recipe to start with 🙂 Wishing you a great weekend!
The colors of the quinoa parfait complement so well the pictures of your family hike! I love that.
After having this delicious breakfast, I would climb mountains, not just hike!! 😉 Beautiful, as always!!
what a delicious way to start the day. thanks for sharing Marla!
Absolutely beautiful photos, Marla. Those parfaits sound delicious. Love the jar idea!
Love how much protein this has! And I love the cute picture of your kids hiking along. They look like pros already!
Georgia I felt like the most proud mama watching them both hike on my favorite steep slopes. It was the first time my little guy footed it all the way down. It was filled with scree & he practically ran the whole way.
I am a self declared proton junkie. Body runs best on that stuff!
What a terrific healthy on-the-go breakfast idea – fun to eat too for the kids!
would LOVE these for breakfast, lunch or even dinner Marla – fantastic!
These look absolutely stunning! I know I would love to have this for breakfast, or anytime of the day really. And, how perfect to bring them along in mason jars!
I am becoming obsessed with quinoa – what a great way to eat it for breakfast!
Megan, quinoa is a good thing to be obsessed with 😉
you had me until the egg, marla–i might have to scratch that from my personal parfait. the rest is perfection! 🙂
Grace, not a problem at all…..how about Greek yogurt instead of the egg?
This post got me all excited! I just love this idea SOOO much! Marla, you’re just inspiring!!!
And quiona is hot! My next post will be about quiona too! hehe
Oh yay! can’t wait to see your quinoa post Charissa 🙂
This looks beautiful! Your pictures are amazing! I am going to try this recipe for sure. And thanks for visiting my blog. 🙂
Made this this morning but just simplified it to quinoa, scrambled egg, strawberries, and blueberries. Delicious!! It was my re-introduction to quinoa. I’ve had a box sitting in my cupboard that I’ve been afraid to touch after the last experience. But this was fantastic, and low-calorie too! Thank you 🙂