Sounds so exotic, doesn’t it? Over the past couple of years, my breakfast habits have changed drastically. The only thing that hasn’t is that I have breakfast habits and love pancakes on the weekends. Before going gluten-free, I would go through cereals. Probably one and a half boxes before I was bored of it. Then, I would ask mom to pick up a different one, grudgingly finishing that last half-box. Sometimes it didn’t even get finished.
Looking back, how much I went through those Cheerios, Mini Wheats, Rice Crispies, Corn Flakes, Life, and so many more, one common thread lies – they all had gluten. Its like I tried them again and again to see if they still irritated my tummy. They always did. I just never realized it.
Occasionally, when I was freezing, or just didn’t feel like cold cereal, I would try some oatmeal. In fact, right near the end of my gluten career, I ate oatmeal every day. For quite some time in fact. The second I was diagnosed, I was back to cereal though. Gluten-free not-quite-as-I-remembered cereals that were good. They just weren’t always great. But I did stick with them. Not just for a couple of weeks, but months and months. My gut was healing and re-discovering the great thing that is food.
When winter came, it was freezing to have ice-cold milk splashing down my throat every morning. So, I went through a few hot cereals, and one day I tried quinoa flakes. They were weird. But they were warm. So, I stuck with them. Before I realized, I absolutely loved them. They’re tender yet have substance. A fantastic mellow flavour that doesn’t harass me, just comforts. When a spoonful of the tinted crystallized brown sugar is sprinkled on top of this microwaved-to-perfection meal, its perfect.
As I said before, I like to change things up. I surely don’t get as bored as fast as I did when boxed cereals started my day, but its always nice to play with things! So, after seeing Lorraine (from the fantastic blog Not Quite Nigella)’s submission to the Haiti Ebook, I decided to try chai-infused quinoa flakes. They are as simple as can be. And, they won’t take very long.
Chai-Infused Quinoa Flakes
An original “recipe” by Lauren of Celiac Teen.
Ingredients
boiling water
chai tea bag (I used decaf vanilla chai)
1/3 cup quinoa flakes
Steps
Brew a cup of chai tea. Let cool (I placed in refrigerator until no longer warm).
Place quinoa flakes in a microwave safe bowl, that is a minimum of 2 cups in capacity. Cover flakes with up to 1 cup of cold chai tea (I use a 1/3 cup measuring cup, not filling it to the brim for the 3 times, but how much you use is a personal choice!). Stir until uniform.
Place bowl in microwave, and microwave for 2 1/2 minutes.
Top with desired toppings and enjoy!
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
yum! i so need to try this
sounds great! Breakfast for me has been a bit of a challenge but, I've figured out a few things I like…When I make my family pancakes I will make a bunch of gluten-free ones and then wrap and freeze them and I'll eat those maybe once a week. I also will make muffins to freeze (Gluten-Free Goddess has some amazing muffin recipes), I've also been enjoying Erewhon's Brown Rice Cream which is really yummy. I also eat a lot of eggs. 🙂
You just seriously inspired me! Peppermint Green Tea Carob Oatmeal anyone?
Mmm, love the chai tea addition. If it were me I would drizzle honey on top, to continue the chair theme.
I love quinoa but I have never tried quinoa flakes before. This does seem like a nice breakfast to try!
Yum! I sometimes made chai porridge and I love the aroma of it! 🙂 Hehe I thought it was funny that you called it "recipe" 😛
Sounds great, and just the types of flavors I would typically love in an oatmeal breakfast! Lately breakfast has been hazelnut yogurt, and apples dipped in nutella 🙂
Quinoa is such a healthy food, and I love the subtle aroma of chai. But usually, I can't be bothered to put much effort into breakfast, so I'll usually have cereal, sometimes toast. But given that I used to skip breakfast altogether, it's not so bad.
Awesome, get your caffeine in your breakfast! I used to put hemp seeds in my oatmeal all the time. This sounds like something I would definitely like.
Just got back from my brother's home where he served me some quinoa with blueberries for breakfast. But quinoa flakes? I have not heard of that. Very cool…I shall look for it! And using a tea…also very cool.!!
What a great idea, Lauren! I haven't tried quinoa flakes yet, but I've been wanting to. Thanks for the motivation!
Shirley
hmmmm… sounds so out there..what great food discoveries are lost to the non-celiacs of the world! I have recently tried making a not so sweet rice pudding for breakfast. I have been experimenting with Rebar's recipe.
Where did you buy the flakes? I’d love to get my hands on some. x
Katie, I just buy them in bulk at my local health food store, but I’ve also seen them sold in boxes =).
Mmm, I’m going to have to try this. I eat quinoa flakes and hemp seeds for breakfast pretty much every day too!
I was looking for a recipe to use the quinoa flakes that are in our cupboard and happened upon your blog. Using your recipe as a guide, I proceeded to cook my quinoa in rice and coconut milk. It worked out quite well… now all I need is a drizzle of honey or agave nectar. Next time I will make sure to have some dried fruit on hand. Yum!
I use Cinnamon and sugar or I use jam and mix it in. I just recently found quinoa flakes and I fell in love with them. They taste so good and I can make them when im half asleep while im waiting for my coffee to finish! hmm I wonder how a hint of coffee would taste?!
I eat quiona flakes for breakfast and sometimes make it with almond milk…but TEA! What a novel idea! I’m excited to try this 🙂
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