Quinoa parfait recipe: Eat your way to health!

I don’t know about you, but this long and frigid Chicago winter has taken a toll on me: I’ve experienced cold after cold after cold, and I’ve had very little energy to do anything else but rest. Being pregnant and having a slightly weaker than normal immune system has most likely contributed to my poor state, as of late. Yet, I cannot help but wonder how my health would have been if I’d been more diligent in following a healthier eating menu. With a very busy schedule and limited time to cook (usually during the weekend, when we cook for an entire week in advance), my eating at work has featured way too many cookies and candy bars. I know, I know: I’m guilty as charged!

Fortunately, there’s still time to resort to healthier eating options and to feel better in your own body this spring, and I for sure am determined to make this happen. For a start, I’m planning to make this delicious quinoa parfait more often to keep the “cookie&candy temptation” away. Make this parfait, and you will not regret it: you’ll enjoy sweetness without guilt and healthfulness without laborious cooking 😉The quantities in this recipe render between 6 and 8 parfaits (depending on the kind of glasses you use) – perfect if you have a large family or health-conscious guests coming up. The quinoa pudding itself is versatile and keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, so you can experiment using it in other dessert combinations, as per your preferences.

To make the quinoa pudding, I used quinoa as I would normally use rice to make rice pudding. The ratio was 1 cup pre-rinsed quinoa to 2 cups water, which I cooked in a saucepan over a medium heat for about 20 minutes or until the water was absorbed.

I added one cup of warm milk…

… and went on cooking the quinoa for a further 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the milk was absorbed.

I took the quinoa out of the pan, placed it in a bowl, and let it cool down. I then added crimson red raisins (my favorites!) I bought from the local grocery store…

… and cinnamon and honey for extra sweetness. I used honey conservatively, but you can use more if desired.

A few more stirs, and the quinoa pudding was ready! Simple, healthy, and with very little processing involved:

I started my parfait with a layer of quinoa pudding at the bottom; I then added a layer of strawberry Greek yogurt, some freshly roasted and chopped filberts…

…and sliced strawberries.

I added a second layer of quinoa pudding and Greek yogurt and more filberts and strawberries. I finished off with diced Granny Smith apple for freshness, texture and flavor contrast…

… as well as scattered pomegranate seeds. And voilà! The parfait was ready to be enjoyed:

This protein-packed parfait has everything you need to feel energized this time of the year: natural fruit flavors, textures and fiber, wholesome yogurt with gut-friendly bacteria, and a dash of omega-3 fatty acid from the filberts. As for the quinoa pudding on its own, my family – including my usually non-quinoa eating husband – loved it, and I promised them that I would keep experimenting with it in the future (more parfait recipes coming up, perhaps?) Follow my example and get this parfait ready asap: you will make it, eat it, and fall in love with it 🙂