I think I have a problem. I tend to go a little crazy when it comes to buying grains. Wheat berries, couscous, Israeli couscous, millet, brown rice, white rice, sticky rice, oats and quinoa. There have even been occasions when I lost track of which grain was which since I buy them from the bulk bin.
See, I told you I have a problem.
I keep buying because every time I’m in the store I have great ideas of what I will make. Not to mention that if it is a hard grain to find at a great price, I just can’t resist.
As I get settled into the new job I’m finding my cooking creativity is suffering. I trust it will return, but right now I’ve got lots of grains and no cooking going on.
Last night I was motivated, though. Weak as it may have been, I made an attempt to use up my rations. I turned to the red quinoa.
Not in the mood for savory, I went sweet. And not just sweet, but an autumn-inspired sweet. I’m amazed at how well quinoa turns out with fruits and other sweet additions. The nutty flavor comes out and it tastes like it was meant to be.
I sautéed pears with mascavo sugar, cinnamon, ginger and walnuts. Once tossed with some cooked red quinoa, it became this morning’s perfect breakfast. The best meal I’ve had all week!
Gingered Pear Quinoa with Walnuts
Makes: 2 servings
Ingredients
2 tablespoons mascavo sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 pear, cored and chopped
2 tablespoons walnuts, chopped
1 cup cooked, red quinoa
Prep
Melt the butter and sugar in a skillet on medium heat. Add the cinnamon and ginger and cook until bubbly.
Add the chopped pear, and stir to coat with the sugar mixture. Cook about 1 minute, careful to keep the pears somewhat firm. Add the walnuts.
Stir in the quinoa and serve warm.
Thanks for reading! All images and content are the property of Fake Food Free unless otherwise stated. Please do not republish full recipes and images without written permission. What is okay? Feel free to Pin images, share links to my posts or share the photo in a round up post with the title of this recipe and a link back to the post. Confused about copyright and food blogs? Here is some helpful information on Recipe Attribution. If you want to use a photo or full recipe, just ask. I’m sure we can work something out.
I love breakfast style quinoa, but haven’t used the red variety before. Lovely Fall breakfast! 🙂
This sounds like a delicious alternative to my beloved oatmeal! I will have to hunt down red quinoa
Sounds so good with the addition of ginger!
It is hard to give up the maple and brown sugar oatmeal with walnuts. But I will certainly be trying this sometime soon! Thanks for posting.
I still have not tried the sweet quinoa! (I think I’m a little scared)
I’m a grain hound also. And a bean hound. And a pasta hound. I’m just a food hound I guess.
This looks fantastic as a breakfast dish, but I’ll admit that I could eat it for any meal and be happy!
I love having a good variety of grains. This quinoa looks great. I love ginger anything.
How you hoard grains is what I’ve been doing with beans lately – I’ve discovered some amazing resources and have been wanted to broaden my horizons. Quinoa is a grain I love but have not been as creative with as I would like. This recipe sounds like an excellent one to get me inspired. thanks for sharing
Ooh isn’t red quinoa lovely? That sounds like an amazing breakfast. I think I almost prefer quinoa sweet than savory!
I love the colour the red quinoa adds to the dish. Sounds like a great breakfast. I bet a little splash of milk or kefir would be a nice addition.
And I’m like you with grains – I have many in my cupboards, and tend to forget about them.
Wow Lori that looks so delicious. And sounds very healthy too. Just gorgeous.
I have never seen quinoa prepared this way and I have to say, I LOVE IT. So original and such delicious flavors.
Yummmm, Lori those look delicious. Loved the chili on top. Very cute.