Strawberry Coconut Quinoa Parfaits

Quinoa takes an unexpected turn toward the sweet side in this recipe for Strawberry Coconut Quinoa Parfaits.

Many people have swapped their rice for quinoa due to this popular pseudo-cereal’s high nutrient profile.

A single 1-cup serving of cooked quinoa provides 8 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber and a slew of essential vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, iron, folate, zinc, manganese, magnesium and potassium.

Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free, which makes it a perfect food for those who are trying to avoid or minimize their intake of gluten.

This recipe from the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children Kobayashi & Kosasa Family Dining Room mixes quinoa with another popular health food – chia seeds – to create a rich, creamy, pudding-like confection that has just the right amount of sweetness, thanks to a blend of almond milk, Greek yogurt and honey.

Layers of fresh strawberries, golden honey and toasted coconut flakes make this parfait a treat that can be enjoyed as either a satisfying start or finish to your day.

This rich, creamy, pudding-esque parfait has just the right amount of sweetness and, bonus, it's naturally gluten-free!

Strawberry Coconut Quinoa Parfaits

Recipe courtesy of the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children Kobayashi & Kosasa Family Dining Room

Serves 5

Ingredients:

2 cups white quinoa, cooked

1 1/3 cups unsweetened almond milk

1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

2 1/2 tablespoons chia seeds

2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 tablespoons honey

1 1/2 cups strawberries, sliced

1/3 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, add cooled quinoa, almond milk, Greek yogurt, vanilla and 2 tablespoons honey. Stir to combine.

2. Gently fold in chia seeds and put in refrigerator to rest for 30 minutes.

3. Remove mixture from fridge and gently stir mixture to evenly distribute chia seeds.

4. Allow mixture to continue soaking in the fridge for at least 6 hours, or overnight.

5. To assemble the parfaits, scoop about 1/3 cup of the quinoa-chia seed mixture into a 9-ounce cup. Top with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1/4 cup strawberries. Garnish with 1 tablespoon shredded coconut.

Nutritional information per serving (1 parfait):

Calories: 306; Carbohydrates: 40.4g; Protein: 23.6g; Total Fat: 5.8g; Saturated Fat: 1.7g; Cholesterol: 3mg; Dietary Fiber: 6.4g; Sodium: 119mg

Published on: November 19, 2019