Vegan Mofo: Quinoa-meal w/ Strawberries & Maple Balsamic Syrup

Bowl rug handmade for moi by Kara.

I'm not a big breakfast person, but when it's cold out, I love something warm in my belly before I brave the preschool car line. Oatmeal seems like an obvious go-to, but often sits like a brick in that aforementioned belly. I have been super into quinoa lately. It's so adaptable and extremely easy to digest. Plus, who can't use more manganese in their diet, right? I cooked quinoa in coconut milk (not the can kind, the kind in the carton) and made it all sortsa fancy with strawberries, walnuts and a maple syrup/balsamic reduction.

Quinoa-meal w/ Strawberries & Maple Balsamic Syrup (vegan, gluten free)
serves 1

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk + more for serving
• 1/4 cup quinoa
• dash salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• sliced strawberries (mash a few)
• raw walnuts
• maple syrup
• balsamic vinegar

Directions

1. Bring coconut milk, quinoa, vanilla and salt to a boil. Reduce heat to the lowest setting for about 20 minutes or until the quinoa is fully cooked.
2. While the quinoa is cooking, heat about 1/4 maple syrup and 1 TB balsamic vinegar and a few mashed strawberries in a small pan on low heat until it thickens.
3. To serve, place quinoa in a bowl and pour some extra coconut milk on the sides. Top with sliced strawberries, raw walnuts and drizzle the some of the maple syrup reduction on top. Good morning!