Monday, October 25, 2010

Perfect weather for sweet quinoa pudding with strawberries

Imagine we are standing together in an elevator, staring at the floors whizzing by.  I turn to you and say 'Strange weather we're having...'.  You nod your head a few times, 'Yup...'.

How's the weather where you are? Here in Sydney, it's supposed to be Spring, but it wants to be Summer in the morning and Winter at night. That makes it difficult to decide what type of dessert to have - ice cream or pudding, sorbet or pie? How about both? Or how about a warm quinoa pudding with fresh strawberries?  Perfect!

I found this recipe from Cannelle et Vanille that marries my current adulation of quinoa with the lusciousness of new season strawberries. And the quinoa is gently warming on those evenings when the you think, 'No, I won't put away the fluffy slippers just yet...'


Quinoa Pudding with Macerated Strawberries and Pistachios
serves 4

Ingredients
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy (thickened) cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
pinch of salt
1 cup quinoa

1 cup strawberries, sliced
1 tblsp sugar
chopped pistachios, to serve


Method
1.  Combine the milk, cream, sugar, salt and vanilla in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the quinoa and stir. Reduce heat to medium low and cook for about 30 minutes stirring every few minutes.  When done, leave to cool very slightly.
2. Meanwhile, place the strawberries in a bowl and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Toss and let sit at room temperature for about an hour.
3. Spoon the quinoa pudding into glasses or bowls. Top the puddings with the strawberries and chopped pistachios and serve.

Recipe adapted from Cannelle et Vanille

Ingredients, including the versatile quinoa, lush stawberries, fresh cream.

The stawberries are macerated in a spoonful of sugar for an hour.  When cooking the quinoa, don't let it boil over (like I did, hence the atrocious state of the saucepan...)

This beautiful dessert could also be served for breakfast, instead of oatmeal.

Whatever the weather, it's warming, sweet and fresh all at the same time.

22 comments:

  1. The best of both worlds! =) I hope you saved me some =p

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  2. looks perfect,a very healthy pudding,thanks for sharing!

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  3. This looks delicious :) Haha so true. When I woke up this morning the temperature said 12 degrees! :o I mean what? :P

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  4. How many times have I said to myself the same thing about the weather recently! It's been crazy and I hope that things get better soon! Lovely dessert though - it would be perfect all year round.

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  5. Ooh a lot like a very sophisticated and unique (and somewhat summery) rice pudding. Looks gorgeous and just right for ever changeable spring! I've not tried quinoa for sweet things yet - I'll be bookmarking this one.

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  6. Winter, spring or summer, I could eat this all year 'round. Great photo's

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  7. Ooh - yum - what an interesting combination. Yep - tell me about the weather, although I've been more concerned about what to wear into work - and weather to take an umbrella or not... The first few weeks of Septmeber were lovely - I want that weather back again!

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  8. You've found the perfect mix between a summer and winter dessert, both warm and fruity. The pistachios look pretty on top too.

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  9. Wow! This is so beautiful, it really belongs on the Top 9 award! Never would've thought to make such a beautiful breakfast/dessert with quinoa, and the lovely strawberries.
    I am now following your blog...don't want to miss out on anything.
    Thanks for your kind comment on my blog.

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  10. Our weather goes from frigid to warm every other day. So I'm pretty sure I could use some of this glorious dessert as well. It's perfect for those in-between days.

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  11. Bel the colours are so bright and inviting. I like quinoa but I have never had it as a dessert. Looks delicious.

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  12. Hey Bel, I'm so making this! I have everything, and that side shot of the glass looks too good not to try it. I'll come back and comment on how it is after we eat it (smile)!

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  13. Thanks for your sweet comment, Bel. You're the best of the best, you know?!!!

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  14. Aw Bel you're a legend. This is the best reaction ever to the oddball weather. Awesome recipe and I agree it'd be a kickarse brekky.

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  15. This looks just fantastic and your photos are to die for!

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  16. Wow, this recipe looks so decadent! :) I will have to try it out!

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  17. yum! Look perfect on a cool day... especially for breakfast! I've never tried sweet quinoa but I'm going to have to give it a try.

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  18. Strawberries is a fruit very tasty and nutritious. They have a lot of vitamins, minerals and compounds that have many health benefits. Some studies have found that cherries are particularly useful in fighting certain cancers. Also a good source of vitamins, they are not as rich in vitamin C or vitamin than fruits such as strawberries or blackberries, but there are other antioxidants and substances that cause many health benefits of strawberry.

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