{'fried' quinoa}

So...this meal was really simple. But since I told you I'd blog about it, here I go. :) We had some fried rice flavor packets that we bought on sale a couple weeks ago {we're talking, quite a few}. I don't know the 'health' factor of these packets {any preservatives? etc.}...but I decided to use it anyways. {please note: I actually  made this meal in February, before I 'officially' started this experiment...so when/if I make the fried quinoa again, I'll attempt to make my own sort of fried rice flavoring...with the help of google, of course. :)} Anywho, I prepared the quinoa as per the instructions {just like rice - 1 cup quinoa, 2 cups water....bring to a boil and then let simmer for 15 minutes. piece of cake.} A little tip that I learned by researching quinoa recipes and reading through the comments on recipes {yeah. i'm one of those people...I love reading the comment section}...is to also add chicken {or beef if you prefer, I suppose} stock to the quinoa to take away some of that 'bitter' flavor. I say 'bitter'...because to me, it doesn't taste bitter. but some people think it does...and they say this helps mute that. So I usually add 1 cup chicken stock to it. {does using chicken stock count as eating meat?!?! Hmm. I should look into that... :)} Once the quinoa was ready, I added in some peas and carrots, as well as fried up an egg and added that in...and voila, I had my 'fried' quinoa! 

For someone that doesn't cook and has little experience in the kitchen arena {seriously, hate cooking}, this recipe was so simple and yet so delicious! I did take a picture...but it didn't look too pretty...so I decided not to post it. :) Since I made this in February before I started the no-meat thing, I actually cooked up some chicken and ate that with it as well. Don't worry, I won't be doing that during March...but haven't had this meal since then! It is definitely on my to-have-again list, though. If you have any ideas on how I could tweak this, I'm all ears! :)

{Day 1 - breakfast}

I assure you, I won't be posting every single day...but I have the time today so I thought I'd give it a go. And rather than having a really long post about both/all my meals...I will be splitting them up into seperate blogs. 

{Breakfast}

When I bought my first bag of quinoa {I'll discuss this in more detail later}, I went ahead and cooked up enough of it as 'porridge' to last a while...so that was my breakfast today. I'm rather loving it...not going to lie.  I added a banana to it this morning to get some fresh fruit in my diet and it tasted well with the other berries! 

{Quinoa Porridge Recipe}

{Ingredients}

• 1 cup of uncooked/rinsed quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup of Almond milk {optional - but I think it helps with flavor}
• Organic Maple syrup {I don't use a specific amount - just pour and taste test. :)}
• Vanilla extract {Again, I don't use a specific amount}
• Cinnamon
• You choice of dried berries/fresh fruit {optional}

{Preparation}

 Bring quinoa, water, and almond milk to a boil. Once it has come to a boil, add the desired cinnamon, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Cover and let simmer for approx. 15 minutes. Then add any berries/fruits.

SUPER easy and super delicious!  I have also prepared a batch in which I've added brown sugar while it's simmering...for some added sweetness. Some think that quinoa (I've read comments online...I'm not an expert haha) have a bitter taste. I don't think it does, but if you do, I would suggest adding the brown sugar. I also think the almond milk helps minimize that bitter taste. 

The beauty of quinoa is its versatility! This recipe comes out like oatmeal/porridge - so you can add whatever flavors your little heart desires. :) I used dried blueberries and cranberries in mine {the batch I was going to freeze} and then once I'm ready to eat it, I add whatever fresh fruits I have around the house {such as apples/bananas}.

I read that this recipe really needs to be eaten within 2-3 days but it works well frozen, so I saved out enough for 2-3 days and have the rest sitting in the freezer for later in the week.