Featured Recipe: Easy whole grain hot cereal

It’s easy to get into a breakfast rut. When you’re rushing around making sure you and/or your kids are ready for the day, it’s easy to simply reach for the tried-and-true cup of yogurt, protein bar or bowl of cereal.

But sometimes, you really need a warm bowl of nutritious and delicious something to get your morning headed in the right direction.

Enter – breakfast quinoa.

Once a fairly obscure source of nutrition, the nutritional benefits of quinoa are now well-known. It’s one of the few natural plant products that is a complete source of protein – meaning it has adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids necessary in the human diet – packing in eight grams per one cup of cooked grains. It’s also a good source of Magnesium and Phosphorus.

This recipe, created by Elizabeth Zawila, a registered dietitian at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital’s Health and Wellness Center in Downers Grove, Ill., turns the famous ancient grain into a hearty breakfast with protein, vitamins and fiber to start your day. It’s also endlessly customizable – throw in your favorite fruits for a different twist, put an egg on top with some vegetables if you have the time or even add a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder and some maple syrup to make your morning a bit sweeter.

To save time, consider making a big batch of quinoa early in the week and reheat it each morning.

Over quinoa? Consider using amaranth or millet – though the latter is not a complete protein.

Easy Whole Grain Hot Cereal

Yield: 1 Serving

•  ½ cup quinoa (can also use millet or amaranth)
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp. raisins
• ¼ cup fresh pineapple chunks
• 1 pinch ground cardamom
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon

1. Combine quinoa or other grain and water.
2. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer.
3. Simmer for 25 minutes.
4. Turn off heat and add raisins, pineapple, cardamom and cinnamon.

Nutrition info: 114 Calories, 2 g fat, 4 mg sodium, 24 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 2 g protein