Lived by the sea-real…
That was a stretch! But today’s breakfast featured puffed quinoa! I found it in the bulk bins at my local health food store. The only site I’ve found with any kind of info on it was this one. I think just like Ashley’s puffed amaranth, this is just lightly heated quinoa. I won’t really say it tastes good – it’s a bit malty/roasty and has that slightly bitter taste quinoa often has – but it’s a nice voluminous base for a cereal bowl!
Today I put about a cup in my bowl with about 1/3 a cup of homemade granola mixed in. Plus a small banana, a cup of milk and sunflower butter drizzle.
I also made a chai tea iced latte. Also kind of a stretch. It was chai tea with a splash of milk, ice and mint leaves. Pretty good!
I’m taking the long way to work on my bike for some extra exercise and picking up bananas on the way! Both our house + our business are out!
{ 67 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been craving cereal bowls every morning lately, I think since it’s been so warm. And I love mixing different cereals together.
I remember being a kid and hating to mix different kinds together…funny how things change.
I LOVE that spoon! Such awesome detail. You always have the best utensils. Have a great day!
I’ve never heard of puffed quinoa. It seems like it would be similar to amaranth, I suppose… bet it would be good with apples!
Ive beed seeing various puffed grains all over the place! It looks so good.
Iced chai tea is my fave! So spicy and refreshing. Love that supah long spoon!
I love a big bowl of cereal but it never leaves me very satisfied — maybe I just need to bulk it up more.
We have never had a day without bananas in our house. I think that is one food that we make sure that we always have on hand!
Me too. Banana crazy.
Stay cool out there, Kath! It’s supposed to break the 90s today!
I’ve never tried amaranth, but it sounds like a nice alternative to oats! Love your chai creation!
Haha – I liked it! Totally got the connection
I’ve never had puffed quinoa…or even heard of it! Learn something new every day from this blog, I tell ya 
Have a great day!
Ooh, I bet iced chai with mint is very good. I’ll have to try that sometime.
Qunioa, amaranth, millet, the “ancient grains”…I can agree with what you said about “not tasting good”. I don’t think they taste bad, but I’ll be honest, cinnamon rolls and chocolate bars taste good and so does fresh mango…Those? Well, they’re ok
Have fun biking for bananas!
that bowl sure looks enticing though! haha you have a knack for making everything look delicious so i’ll never know unlesss I try it
my daughter and i found your site and since i have we have not been able to stop eating the oatmeal bowls that you make:) ohhhhh myyyy goodness!!!!!!!!! they are absolutley amazing and we went out and bought everything for them. i do the hot oatmeal on the stove with the banana, granola, sunbutter, coconut butter (yummmmy)! thank you so much for always posting as much as you do, love all of the posts. and i love your blog:)
So glad!
I love adding puffed cereal to my breakfast for a little extra volume! My favourite is Nature’s Path Kamut Puffs. I usually dump a bag into a large container, and mix it with some agave nectar drizzles and cinnamon. It is so freaking good – I’ll eat it on it’s own!
Every day I want your breakfast!
Yum! Looks tasty!
Ohh i haven’t tried the puffed quinoa yet! The taste may also bother me a bit, but other fun ingredients can always drown it out
The iced latte looks so refreshing! I often use a cocktail shaker to make these and add ice, a cup of strongly brewed tea and coconut milk and shake shake shake until it gets super frothy!
I love puffed quinoa! It is a perfect filler for cereal meals! Great combination Kath.
Oooh mint leaves! Interesting!
mm that looks lovely!
Have a great busy day!
I’ve been enjoying eating puffed millet recently, which is probably pretty similar to puffed quinoa, but I haven’t been eating it as the main thing in the bowl. I’ve just been using it as a topping over fruit and yogurt — kind of like granola. I actually really like it, so I’m not sure I want to try puffed quinoa if it’s bitter!
That iced chai tea latte looks amazing – I’m a sucker for a chai tea latte! The puffed quinoa definitely sounds interesting!
where did you buy your puffed quinoa? whole foods?
Are you getting excited for the new whole foods to open or have you been too busy to worry about it? I’m super excited!
a cold chia latte sounds so yummy!
At my local health foods store – Integral Yoga
Chai tea is my fav.!! I hope your extra long bike ride is super fun!!
Yum – love the mint leaves in the chai tea – have a great day!
My Cherrios definitly pale in comparison.
Your breakfast kind of reminds me of my favorite cereal growing up… what was it? Smacks? I liked the puffiness of it
Haven’t had puffed quinoa, but I like puffed millet!
Ooh puffed quinoa, that sounds interesting! Will definitely keep an eye out for it- worth a try!
I hadn’t been to a great harvest in about 10 years, but I went this morning!! Just walking in and smelling the bread brought back so many memories. And of course the bread was delicious! Wish I lived closer to Cville so I could stop by your Bakery :]
i have always wanted to try puffed quinoa! i am interested to hear that you think its sort of bitter. i loe quinoa, but wash even the prewashed stuff because i hate the btitterness. i highly doubt you can rinse stuff that is already puffed….do you agree? or know?
I definitely would not attempt to wash it!
Yum! I love using puffed grains in my cereals. Especially millet!
I’ve seen puffed millet but not quinoa. I’m excited to look for it… sounds great mixed with pb!
i was JUST saying the other day how they need to do a puff the magic dragon movie.
That chai tea looks really good! I might have to get some mint plants to grow.
I know it’s the summer because I have been wanting cereal like mad every morning. So, oatmeal has taken a second row seat these days.
You’re so lucky to be able to bike to work. Your days don’t even sound like work but just fun.
That’s great! I notice that you often eat chia seeds in things you make. Have you ever tried hemp seeds?
In things, but not by themselves
Mint leaves in your iced chai? That sounds kind of awesome, I might just try that with my new mint plant <3
No bananas is definitely a reason for some magic to happen…or at least some speedy biking!
I’ve tried popping quinoa + millet before but I can’t get it to work! I don’t like cooked amaranth, but for some reason love the puffed….with tons of toppings of course!
Haha I always make sure to pick up bananas on the day that I run out too. I would hate to have to go banana-less for the next day’s breakfast!
I love switching up the textures in my cereal bowls! Bet this would be a nice addition to my lineup
yesterday on Dr Oz, he did feel good foods- food for a good mood and one was puffed amaranth! http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/crank-proof-your-diet-5-good-mood-foods?page=3#copy
Hey Kath! I just made a recipe that I think you would like
They are cute little bites of innocent sweetness (no added sugar, unless you don’t think the banana is sweet enough) and vegan and gluten free!
http://glutenfreemuse.com/2011/05/26/coconut-banana-bites/
If you like them, I would love to see your variation
I love anything coconut!
Have a good staff meeting today!!!
Being out of bananas is a crime in our house! lol I can’t go a day without them!
Good idea about adding the mint leaves to the chai – it looks delicious and refreshing!
I panic when I’m out of bananas. They’re so versatile and necessary
Ok, so this is random, but that spoon is awesome!
mmm I love oats/quinoa with a sprinkle of granola
Looks delicious. I’m really wanting to start drinking teas for my morning energy.. I’m not addicted to coffee, so it should be an easy start!
YUM, sunflower butter! I need a new jar, asap!
Looks so good! I wish the city had bulk bins…I’d be all over it. Buuut no bulk.
Looks delish. Will have to try this.
Really wish I had some trips to Cville planned to have some of these amazing looking sandwiches! Might just have to take a sick day!
ahhhh chai tea. i haven’t see you in awhile
Please, no more bananas!! Every time i come on here I feel like you have a banana. I’m having withdrawals! Here in Australia, our bananas are $13 a kilo! We had a cyclone a few months ago, and floods before that, that wiped out most of the countries bananas. I almost bought a few yesterday, but didn’t have enough money in my wallet. I made the pumpkin spiced almond butter you featured a dew months ago, and now all I want is a banana to put it on!! I guesss there’s nothing for it but to take out a bank loan and buy some bananas, I’ll never get over my craving otherwise!!
One of the BIG supermarkets here is taking advantage of the above situation and charging $25 a Kilo….about 2lbs.
Not Goodhowever, the weekend market sells them for about $6,
I’ve got to try amaranth again – I tried flaked amaranth once as porridge and it was sour :S
I really like quinoa, because it is so good for you, protein-wise! I have never had puffed quinoa, though. I will have to look for it, because it is nice that you do not have to cook it.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
I have weird taste buds because everyone talks about that quinoa taste and I just think it tastes awesome. I cannot detect that ‘flavor’ that supposedly is there! I would LOVE to try them puffed. hehe