Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup quinoa
• 1/2 cup skim milk (you can substitute almond milk)
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 banana, mashed
• 1 tablespoon honey (you can substitute maple syrup)
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Bring quinoa to a boil with the milk and water, then simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until all liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally.
2. Transfer quinoa into a bowl and add mashed banana, honey, cocoa powder, and vanilla.
3. Serve immediately.

Yield:

1 serving

Nutrition Tip

Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) is technically not a grain; it's the seed of the Goosefoot plant, but it's used as a grain because of its similarity in cooking. Since it is high in fiber, quinoa is a fantastic substitute for refined grains such as white rice or pasta.

Unlike most other grains, however, quinoa is also high in protein. It contains all eight essential amino acids needed for building muscle tissue, making it a "complete" protein.

Quinoa also contains calcium, iron, vitamin E and several of the B vitamins. Quinoa can make a sweet breakfast treat by adding in fruit, nuts or raisins or it can make savory meal by adding it to veggies, legumes or lean meats with casseroles or soups.