A creamy quinoa-apple drink is a delightful and nutritious beverage that combines the wholesome goodness of quinoa and the natural sweetness of apples. This drink is dairy-free and can be enjoyed as a refreshing snack or breakfast option. Here’s a recipe to make creamy quinoa-apple drink:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
- 3 cups water
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk or any other non-dairy milk of your choice
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup or sweetener of your choice (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Ice cubes (optional, for a chilled drink)
- Sliced apples or cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Rinse the Quinoa:
- Rinse the quinoa under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve to remove any bitterness.
- Cook the Quinoa:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and 1 1/2 cups of water. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Then, fluff the quinoa with a fork and let it cool to room temperature.
- Blend Quinoa and Apples:
- In a blender, combine the cooked and cooled quinoa, chopped apples, remaining 1 1/2 cups of water, almond milk, maple syrup (start with 2 tablespoons and adjust to taste), ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract (if using).
- Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. You can also add ice cubes at this stage if you want a chilled drink.
- Taste and Adjust:
- Taste the creamy quinoa-apple mixture and adjust the sweetness or cinnamon to your preference. You can add more maple syrup or cinnamon if desired.
- Strain (Optional):
- If you prefer a smoother texture, you can strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any remaining solids.
- Serve:
- Pour the creamy quinoa-apple drink into glasses, garnish with sliced apples or cinnamon sticks if desired, and serve immediately.
This creamy quinoa-apple drink is a nutritious and satisfying beverage that combines the nutty flavor of quinoa with the natural sweetness of apples. It’s perfect for a quick and healthy snack or breakfast. Enjoy!