Gingered Pear Quinoa with Walnuts

September 23, 2010

I think I have a problem. I tend to go a little crazy when it comes to buying grains. Wheat berries, couscous, Israeli couscous, millet, brown rice, white rice, sticky rice, oats and quinoa. There have even been occasions when I lost track of which grain was which since I buy them from the bulk bin.

See, I told you I have a problem.

I keep buying because every time I’m in the store I have great ideas of what I will make. Not to mention that if it is a hard grain to find at a great price, I just can’t resist.

As I get settled into the new job I’m finding my cooking creativity is suffering. I trust it will return, but right now I’ve got lots of grains and no cooking going on.

Last night I was motivated, though. Weak as it may have been, I made an attempt to use up my rations. I turned to the red quinoa.

Gingered Pear Quinoa with Walnuts Recipe | Fake Food Free

Not in the mood for savory, I went sweet. And not just sweet, but an autumn-inspired sweet. I’m amazed at how well quinoa turns out with fruits and other sweet additions. The nutty flavor comes out and it tastes like it was meant to be.

I sautéed pears with mascavo sugar, cinnamon, ginger and walnuts. Once tossed with some cooked red quinoa, it became this morning’s perfect breakfast. The best meal I’ve had all week!

Gingered Pear Quinoa with Walnuts Recipe | Fake Food Free

Gingered Pear Quinoa with Walnuts

Makes: 2 servings

Ingredients

 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons mascavo sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 pear, cored and chopped
2 tablespoons walnuts, chopped
1 cup cooked, red quinoa

Prep

Melt the butter and sugar in a skillet on medium heat. Add the cinnamon and ginger and cook until bubbly.

Add the chopped pear, and stir to coat with the sugar mixture. Cook about 1 minute, careful to keep the pears somewhat firm. Add the walnuts.

Stir in the quinoa and serve warm. 

 

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  • Jennifer September 24, 2010 at 4:29 am

    I love breakfast style quinoa, but haven’t used the red variety before. Lovely Fall breakfast! 🙂

  • Lauren September 24, 2010 at 5:04 am

    This sounds like a delicious alternative to my beloved oatmeal! I will have to hunt down red quinoa

  • 5 Star Foodie September 24, 2010 at 5:55 am

    Sounds so good with the addition of ginger!

  • We Love September 24, 2010 at 7:27 am

    It is hard to give up the maple and brown sugar oatmeal with walnuts. But I will certainly be trying this sometime soon! Thanks for posting.

  • emily (a nutritionist eats) September 24, 2010 at 11:52 am

    I still have not tried the sweet quinoa! (I think I’m a little scared)

  • Joanne September 25, 2010 at 4:06 am

    I’m a grain hound also. And a bean hound. And a pasta hound. I’m just a food hound I guess.

    This looks fantastic as a breakfast dish, but I’ll admit that I could eat it for any meal and be happy!

  • MelindaRD September 25, 2010 at 4:42 am

    I love having a good variety of grains. This quinoa looks great. I love ginger anything.

  • OysterCulture September 25, 2010 at 11:12 am

    How you hoard grains is what I’ve been doing with beans lately – I’ve discovered some amazing resources and have been wanted to broaden my horizons. Quinoa is a grain I love but have not been as creative with as I would like. This recipe sounds like an excellent one to get me inspired. thanks for sharing

  • Michelle @ Find Your Balance September 25, 2010 at 3:24 pm

    Ooh isn’t red quinoa lovely? That sounds like an amazing breakfast. I think I almost prefer quinoa sweet than savory!

  • Marianne (frenchfriestoflaxseeds) September 26, 2010 at 1:40 pm

    I love the colour the red quinoa adds to the dish. Sounds like a great breakfast. I bet a little splash of milk or kefir would be a nice addition.

    And I’m like you with grains – I have many in my cupboards, and tend to forget about them.

  • Anna September 26, 2010 at 6:25 pm

    Wow Lori that looks so delicious. And sounds very healthy too. Just gorgeous.

  • Eliana September 27, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    I have never seen quinoa prepared this way and I have to say, I LOVE IT. So original and such delicious flavors.

  • Anna September 28, 2010 at 8:45 am

    Yummmm, Lori those look delicious. Loved the chili on top. Very cute.

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