Do you remember when people first started talking about Quinoa? No one could pronounce it. KWEE-NOA? CHI-NO? KEEN-WAH? There in it’s protein-packed glory this seed (yes, it’s actually a seed, not a grain) sat on the shelf and I looked at it, wondering what the heck I’d make with it. Since then, I’ve realized its versatility: pancakes, casseroles, salads, and the ever so simple side.
Then the chia seed trend came along and everyone went gaga over the health benefits of a little seed was formerly only known for making your clay pot grow “hair”. Food bloggers started putting them in smoothies and then making “pudding.” The current trend now seems to be jelly.
I still haven’t mastered the art of the chia seed pudding. Mine is always too runny; not the beautiful fluffy, creamy pudding that I see posted everywhere. I think it’s because I’m too stingy with those darn seeds. They’re expensive! Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and buy all the Chia heads and hoard the seeds. I wonder if that would be cheaper…
Anyhow, the other day I made some quinoa for a salad and of course I made too much- which isn’t a bad thing- it’s actually something I always intentionally do when making quinoa. I would advise you to do the same! Once the quinoa is cooked, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days and use it for other deliciousness. And obviously, it saves you the time to cook (which is only 15 minutes) and the cooling, if you aren’t planning to serve it hot.
So I opened my fridge to make myself an evening snack and saw this prepared quinoa and an opened can of light coconut milk. (The coconut milk had been an attempt at making coconut whipped cream but duh, you can’t use the light kind, you need the full fat. #Fail) Immediately my brain went to tomorrow’s breakfast. Let’s do a take on overnight oats/chia pudding using quinoa and coconut milk!
I could hardly wait for breakfast the next morning; and man, I was not disappointed! And bonus- this breakfast kept me full for hours. No mid-morning snack was necessary!
So, next time you make some quinoa, save some for this yummy breakfast treat!
Coconut Quinoa Chia Pudding
Ingredients:
1.5 cups prepared quinoa, cooled
~1/2 can of light coconut milk (from a can)
2 TBS chia seeds
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup blueberries (more if you like)
Optional toppings:
honey
shredded coconut
crushed almonds
How to:
Put the quinoa in a bowl, jar, or other container with a lid (I used a small pyrex bowl)- the container should not be “just” big enough. You need some space!
Add the coconut milk to the quinoa to just cover it completely. Then add just a tiny bit more.
Add the vanilla, chia seeds, and blueberries and stir it all together.
Refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, top with shredded coconut, almonds, and honey. (Of the three, you’ll likely want the honey for some sweetness!)
