Magic Quinoa Jars: fast, sugar-free yumminess

Knowing I have some cooked quinoa in my fridge is like knowing I can’t lose. It’s a security blankie that brings me comfort on a busy day.

If I have cooked quinoa in the fridge or freezer, I know I have a meal ready to go at any time. Same deal with boiled eggs and bone broth. They are my get-out-of-jail free cards and I know that I won’t have to resort to feeding the family cheese on toast.

I know there are people out there who actually enjoy the process of thinking up meals and recipes. I know they exist but I don’t understand them. It hurts my brain terribly to have to think about meals. I love food, I love good, real food, but I’m really annoyed at how often I have to think about it.

A saucepan of cooked quinoa in the fridge takes away the pain (yes I cook it and place all of it, saucepan and all, in the fridge. Some might see that as lazy, I find it practical and efficient!). On the days when it is really going to hurt to consider what’s for dinner or breakfast, or whatever, my cooked quinoa is a dose of paracetamol (or valium even). I am calm, even happy, about meals.

And it’s magic stuff! Really magical. It can turn itself into any damn meal you want it to. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snack, even baked goods … magic!

So when I found myself with some breathing space after dinner and cleaning the kitchen recently, I threw together some quinoa breakfast jars. It was just an experiment to see what they’d turn out like. Turns out they were fantastic.

I didn’t take measurements. Sorry I just don’t work like that. So you may have to use your own judgement – which is a good thing.

Both of these recipes use a version of Thriving Protein powder from the Nutra Organics range. These powders are sweet due to the ingredient thaumatin, a protein extracted from the Katemfe fruit. The powders are sweet enough to not need any added sweeteners. The team at Nutra Organics tell me the vanilla blend will have a quarter less thaumatin in the next batch, to reduce the sweetness, as the current batch is quite strong.

If you don’t have them, I’ve put some other suggestions in the recipes for you to try.

[typography font=”buda” size=”24″ size_format=”px” color=”#35bdb2″]Magic Quinoa Pudding Jars[/typography]

 

Jar 1 – Coconut Choc

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• cooked quinoa
• coconut milk (or almond milk or Raw C coconut water)
• coconut cream (short pour)
• shredded coconut
• abt 2tbs chia seeds (add more if it’s too runny)
• 2tbs Nutra Organics Coconut Choc Thriving Protein powder (without this, I would try some raw cacao and sweetener of choice – rice malt syrup for a sugar-free version, or organic maple syrup.)
• Frozen blueberries

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Jar 2 – Vanilla Goji

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• cooked quinoa
• coconut cream
• chia seeds
• goji berries
• Nutra Organics Exotic Vanilla Thriving Protein powder (instead of this, perhaps try a good dash of vanilla extract, paste or powder with your choice of sweetener. Even vanilla and cinnamon would be delicious. Adding spices often means you don’t need as much sweetener).

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Place all ingredients into a jar with a lid, mix it thoroughly to ensure chia seeds are well distributed, and place in the fridge overnight. It shouldn’t be overly runny when you put it in the fridge – the chia will soak up some of the liquid, and it should be a gooey pudding consistency in the morning.

I used about 3-4 heaped spoonfuls of quinoa, but it doesn’t matter. Put in as much as you like and add enough of the liquids to give it the consistency of cake batter. Stir the berries through last, and just check your chia hasn’t settled on the bottom.

These were so good and simple to make, I think there will now be a permanent version of some description in the fridge. I’m going to experiment some more – with grated apple and cinnamon, nuts and herbs – and because it’s so versatile, I doubt I’ll ever make the same version twice.

If you like these recipes and ideas, please share them around on Facebook and Pinterest, and of course, email me a message and picture if you make them.

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* Please note: the links to Nutra Organics on this page are affiliate links, so should you purchase through those links, I will receive a small payment.