quinoa flake porridge + pistachios and dates

There’s nothing quite like a simple, Ayurvedically aligned breakfast to nourish the body and soul. This porridge satisfies hunger until lunch time, and best of all, it takes five minutes to prepare!

This recipe contains all five tastes, and is considered a complete meal. The quinoa flakes are astringent and are easily digested by Agni; the quinoa does not overload the digestive system. The dates and honey add a touch of sweetness, and the cardamom adds some pungency.

Best of all, the ingredients, including the grain and cooking liquid, can be swapped out based on Doshic predominance, making this a very versatile porridge. The recipe as is, is balancing to Vata and Pitta. If your Vata or Pitta wants something even creamier, instead of water, you could try almond milk, oat milk, or rice milk.

To make this recipe more Kapha friendly, swap the dates for something lighter and drier, like raisins or dried apricots. Swap the pistachios for soaked almonds. Add spices like ginger and allspice. The possibilities are endless! Try this version as a starting point, and experiment from there.

Ingredients

1 cup water
⅓ cup quinoa flakes
1 pinch Himalayan mineral salt
1 TBS organic ghee
10 pistachios
¼ tsp cardamom
2 Medjool dates
2 tsp raw, local honey
¼ tsp sweet spice

Method

Bring the water and salt to a boil. Once boiling, add the quinoa flakes and turn off the heat. Stir to incorporate.
Let the quinoa flakes cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture will begin to thicken and become creamy.
While the quinoa flakes are cooking, in a small pan add the ghee, cardamom, and pistachios. Cook over medium-low heat. Stir a few times to keep the pistachios coated in ghee. Cook until the pistachios just begin to brown, about 3 minutes. I find that they cook rather quickly in the ghee, so be careful not to overcook.
Pit the Medjool dates and cut in half lengthwise. Cut into bite sized pieces.
Once the quinoa flakes have reached the desired consistency, transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle the dates on top, then add the ghee-nut mixture. Add the honey and sweet spice, stir, and enjoy!

makes 1 serving