This is a very simple but great breakfast idea… how to use quinoa in a not usual way. It is best served when you have time to enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee.
The base of the cake is quinoa and almond meal so it is not only vegan, also gluten-free. It is sweetened with dates and apple sauce, packed with nutrients, fiber, protein thanks to quinoa, flex seeds and almond.
Vegan Cocoa Almond Quinoa Breakfast Cake
(Recipe with a bit of change: Whole Foods iPad application)
Ingredients for a 20*20 cm square baking pan
– 1 cup quinoa
– 1 and 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or soymilk, rice milk, oat milk – whatever you prefer)
– 1 cup pitted dates
– 3/4 cup almond meal
– 1/2 cup flax seeds
– 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
– 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
Method
Rinse quinoa until water runs clear, drain and transfer to a pot. Add 2 cups water, bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until water is absorbed (15-20 minutes). Set aside, leave to cool, then fluff with a fork.
Preheat the oven to 180C (350F). Line the baking pan with parchment paper.
In a kitchen blender purée almond milk, dates, flex seeds, apple sauce, cocoa powder and salt. Transfer this mixture to a bowl, stir in quinoa and 1/2 cup almond meal. Transfer to the prepared pan, scatter the remaining 1/4 cup almond meal over the top and bake until firmly set (about 1 hour).
Set aside to let cool. Cut into squares and serve.
