Cinnamon and Blackberry Quinoa

This is otherwise known as the perfect breakfast! I've had a mostly-full box of quinoa in my kitchen from the falafel Sara and I made a while back, and had no idea what to do with it. Then all the sudden, I started seeing Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah, and not Quin-o-a, as previously thought. Oops) all over lists of "healthy foods you aren't eating, but should be," so I figured something could and should be done.

I came across this recipe for Warm and Nutty Cinnamon Quinoa on the 101 Cookbooks blog (a fabulous blog you should be following) and couldn't stop staring at the picture. Yummm. I'm a sucker for blackberries and needed a little switch from my Special K with Red Berries breakfast (I bought 8 boxes...hey, they were on sale at Walgreen's) so I knew I needed to make this.

Here are the ingredients you'll need:

• 1 cup 1% low fat milk
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup organic quinoa, (hs note: rinse quinoa)
• 2 cups fresh blackberries
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 4 teaspoons organic agave nectar

I was a bit worried agave nectar was going to be impossible to find, but I found it at Trader Joe's for only $2.99- and oh man is it good, and also better for you than other sugar products because it has a low glycemic index (allegedly). But, if you can't find it, you can always use honey. Also, as you can see, I never buy 1% milk so the "Chug" was perfect (look, Dad, I'm drinking Garelick Farms! My sister and I grew up refusing to drink Garelick milk because we saw a commercial, probably for Hood, saying Garelick made their milk with fish oil. I only recently decided a. it was probably a lie, b. if it's true, it's probably good for me).

So, first it's recommended that you clean your quinoa. It kind of has a weird, earthy taste to it if you don't. But it's also pretty difficult to clean as it's soo tiny. You basically need a super strainer with the littlest holes ever. I won't show you pictures of me rinsing the quinoa because it was a bit of a mess. However, once you have your cup of quinoa, put it in a saucepan with the milk and water. Bring it to a boil and then reduce it to medium-low and cover it. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed.

Take the quinoa off the heat and let it sit for another 5 minutes. Now add your blackberries! If you can't find good blackberries or they're too pricey, you can always use blueberries. Add the cinnamon in too (another super food!).

Mix it all up.

Now serve it! And put the pecans and agave nectar on top.

This was a really, really good hearty and filling breakfast. And much more satisfying than a simple bowl of cereal. You'll notice the pictures on 101 Cookbooks are a little bit different (and prettier, I think) because she used red quinoa and I had white. Still a beautiful bowl of breakfast, though.

You all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and when you're eating a breakfast filled with so many super foods, you're going to be feeling good all day.

[Sues]