Quinoa Power Pot

Recipe from Eat Happy by Melissa Hemsley (Ebury Press, £20)

"Choose from three different quinoa options and play around with flavours. There are seven here, one for every day of the week! I’m a fan of porridge in a flask for an easy warming breakfast on the go. If I have people over, I make a huge pan of porridge and put small bowls out with a selection of flavours and toppings to let everyone help themselves."

Ingredients

• Quinoa (see method)
• 400–500ml any milk
• 500ml hot water
• 2 teaspoons coconut oil
• or butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup or
• raw honey (optional)

Method

If using 200g quinoa flakes:

Quinoa flakes: Toast the quinoa flakes in a dry pan on a medium heat for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent them from burning. This reduces any bitterness and gives a nice nutty flavour. Add 400ml of milk and all the other ingredients, give everything a stir and bring to a medium simmer. Cook for 4 minutes, then add your choice of flavourings.

If using 250g cooked quinoa:

Cooked quinoa: Place the cooked quinoa in a saucepan, add 400ml of milk and all the other ingredients. Bring to a medium simmer and cook for 4 minutes, then add your choice of flavourings.

If using 100g uncooked quinoa, rinsed well (ideally soaked first):

Uncooked quinoa: Place the uncooked quinoa in a saucepan, add 500ml of milk and all the other ingredients. Bring to a medium simmer and cook, covered, until the liquid has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes (or 12 minutes if the quinoa has been soaked), then add your choice of flavourings.