Chai Quinoa Porridge

It’s cold outside and warm porridge is the perfect way to warm your morning! Quinoa is a gluten-free nutritional powerhouse. It is often called a ‘grain’ but it is actually a seed and is pronounced keen-wah – just in case you go asking for it and they look at you like you are a twit for pronouncing it how it’s spelt 🙂 Quinoa is a complete protein source containing 9 essential amino acids and is particularly high in Lysine which is responsible for healthy tissue growth and repair (if have a coldsore- get lots of Lysine into you! Read more about this here ). Quinoa is also a great source of magnesium, is low in fat and is a lower carbohydrate solution to grains.

1 cup quinoa- rinsed in cold water
2 cups milk- coconut, almond, soy or dairy
2 heaped teaspoons chai tea or 2 chai teabags
1 tbs pure maple syrup
1/2 cup chopped dates

In a saucepan, add milk and warm over a low heat. Once milk is warm place 2 chai tea bags or loose leaf holder of chai into the saucepan to infuse the milk. Allow to infuse over the low heat for 5 minutes then remove tea leaves/bag. Add quinoa and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer for about 10 minutes uncovered. Add dates and maple syrup and continue to sir and simmer for about another 5 minutes. Cover with a lid and allow to stand without heat on for 5-10 more minutes. I served mine with some toasted seeds and coconut but some yoghurt would be nice too.