Hi everyone, simpleglutenfreekitchen will be 4 years old next week. Time has truly flown. While I’m not posting and visiting blogs as frequently this year as I used to, I am still grateful to every single person who have visited and supported this blog for the past 4 years. Whether it’s just one post that you have read or followed me from the start, I want you to know that I truly appreciate that you’ve stopped by. THANK YOU! I’m very excited for the fifth year ahead and hope that you continue to share this journey with me.
My family and I eat tons of fruit all year long but I hate to see the mango season go. So to say farewell to my beloved mangoes and to celebrate my blogiversary, I have this wonderful tasting Quinoa breakfast salad with mangoes, pineapple and strawberries. It’s elegant, refreshing, nutrient rich and a perfect summer fare.
Energy is something we all look forward to begin our day with. Research has shown that eating a protein and fiber packed breakfast promotes satiety to a greater extent compared to a high carbohydrate breakfast. Both oats and quinoa make for good fiber and protein rich breakfasts and can be made in advance. In summer regular oats porridge can feel too heavy so I like to swap oats for quinoa and enjoy a light breakfast. This coconut quinoa breakfast salad is a complete meal, offering protein and essential nutrients to meet your energy needs.
You can find quinoa in all different colors – white, red (ivory), and black are the most commonly available. Red and black being more firm and slightly bitter than the regular white quinoa. If you rinse the raw quinoa thoroughly under running water dragging your fingers through it as you rinse, you can never taste the bitterness. I buy all three colors and use them depending on my mood or whichever is most appealing for the recipe. For this one I chose half tri color and half white. Tri color quinoa is a beautiful blend of white, red and black.
I started by cooking the quinoa in coconut milk, like rice. Then I added freshly squeezed lemon juice (sometimes I add orange juice) and mint and, popped it in the fridge to soak up the lemony flavor and fresh mint fragrance. I then finished off with tropical fruits right before serving. It is so simple to make, yet so delicious. I did not add any sweetener. If you want to sweeten the quinoa you can, but the fruit offers so much natural sweetness that you won’t feel the need of extra sugar, just trust me.
Give it a try this weekend and let me know what you think.
Coconut milk, quinoa and fruits.Simple, filling, healthy and amazingly delicious!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup white quinoa
- 1/2 cup tricolor quinoa
- 2 cups (minus 2 tbsp) light coconut milk ( 1 can is 340 ml. Add water if you do not want to open another can)
- 3 cups cut fruit (I used pineapple, mango , strawberry)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice or fresh orange juice (more as required)
- 2 tbsp mint, chopped
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa in a mesh colander.
- In a medium pot with a lid, pour in the coconut milk, water (if using) and rinsed quinoa. Bring the mixture to boil, then cover and reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cook for 18 minutes or until tender and all liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat let rest for a few minutes.
- Fluff the quinoa with a fork and transfer to a serving bowl.
- Add lemon juice and mint. Set aside in the fridge for 15-20 minutes (this step is optional).
- Before serving stir in cut fruits gently into the quinoa.
Shirley Tay (Blackswan)
Oh wow, love the healthy combination, dear! Time flies & it’s another anniversary. I recalled wishing you the best in blogging just not too long ago. Hahaha! xoxo
Harvinder
Looks beautiful and yumm…will definitely try it…also congratulations on the 4th anniversary dear!!!
Ansh
Happy Blog Anniversary Balvinder! Love the summer in your salad.
Coffee and Crumpets
Happy Blogiversary, here’s to many many more. Love the breakfast salad!
Monica
Happy upcoming 4th blog birthday, Balvinder! I am so glad you have not given up blogging all together! It is always nice to see your unique recipes. I’m inspired to mix up my breakfast from this. Love quinoa and cooking it with light coconut milk sounds so delicious. Looks very colorful and it’s healthy and satisfying…just the kind of recipe to reflect your blog. Hope you are enjoying the summer!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Congratulations!
This is a really colourful and delicious salad. Perfect for any meal!
Mandeep
Congratulations ,, balvinder … I like the quinoa summer breakfast salad… It looks yummy and colorful tasty salad.. I definatly try this new recipe.. Thanks for sharing it.. Once again happy blog anniversary …
minnie@thelady8home
Your food is such a delight. Congratulaions!!!!! You make this beautiful world brighter. Wishing many many many more.
shubha
Congratulation dear!!I love quinoa and I usually prepare upma but this version looks so good and much more healthy too..Would love to try it soon:)
Malti Sharma
Congratulations and that’s an awesome breakfast salad dear!
Sridevi Ravi
Congratulations on your new milestone in blogging, Bal! Love this cheerful, lovely breakfast salad!
kushi
Its so colorful and beautiful dear. Love the combo and many congratulations to you 🙂