5 Interesting Quinoa(Soup, Upma) Recipes For Your Toddler

Being a nutritionist, I have seen, many growing up children like to eat innovative and different kinds of foods. Hence being a mother at times you might be compelled to dish-out new recipes for your little one. All the more the little lot seems to be quite fussy about food and takes time to accept a new entrant in their diet. However, if you prepare recipes in accordance to his/her taste, s/he will tend to accept it quickly and without much of a fuss. In this blog, allow me to introduce quinoa! It is pronounced as ‘qeen-wah’ - a grain with several wonders. And trust me, you will

What Is Quinoa?

Quinoa is a grain, which is least allergenic and is rich in nutrients. Bestowed with nine different amino acids, its rich in protein and considered to be gluten-free. So, if you are looking to increase the protein intake of your child, this grain can definitely be the one you need! It has a nutty texture and flavor, which you can use intelligently to carve out various interesting quinoa recipes for your child.

Quinoa Recipes For Your Child

Here are 5 interesting quinoa mix soup, upma recipes which you can cook for your child.

#1. Sweet and Nutty Quinoa Upma

Ingredients For Sweet And Nutty Quinoa Upma

• 1 cup cooked quinoa (boil 1 cup cooked quinoa in 2 cups of water)
• 1/2 cup mixed vegetables, chopped finely (French beans, bell peppers, cauliflower & baby corn)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp raisins (soaked)
• 1 tbsp crushed nuts (almonds & walnuts)
• 2-3 apricots, chopped (soaked)
• 1 onion, chopped
• Salt to taste
• ½ Tsp cumin seeds

Method To Prepare Sweet And Nutty Quinoa Upma

• In a pan add olive oil and then cumin seeds; let them crackle. Then add chopped onions. Cook till the onion is transparent
• Now add the vegetables and cook for 5-6 minutes
• Then add quinoa and cook for a while
• Add the remaining ingredients (dry fruits and nuts) and mix well
• Serve warm

#2. Quinoa Sweet Potato Patties

Ingredients For Quinoa Sweet Potato Patties

• ½ sweet potato
• 1 /2 tsp chopped garlic
• 1 cup minced chicken
• 1 tbsp grated cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp chopped bell pepper
• 1tbsp spring onion, chopped
• 1/4th tsp black pepper
• Salt to taste
• ½ tsp oregano
• 2 tbsp cooked quinoa
• 1 egg (lightly beaten)
• olive oil to brush

Method To Prepare Quinoa Sweet Potato Patties

• In a bowl, add mashed sweet potato, bell peppers, spring onion, garlic and mix well
• Now add minced meat, egg, quinoa to the bowl and mixed well
• Add black pepper, oregano, salt and cheese
• Mix well
• Now make small patties and use a grilling pan to grill it. Simply brush little oil on the grilling pan
• Cook till golden brown. Serve warm with green chutney or sauce

#3. Quinoa Banana Breakfast

Ingredients For Quinoa Banana Breakfast

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 small banana mashed
• 4-5 strawberries
• 1 tsp raw honey
• 1/4th tsp roasted flaxseeds
• ½ cup whole milk
• Raisins to garnish

Method For Quinoa Banana Breakfast

• In a pan, add milk and let it boil; now lower the flame and add mashed banana
• The mixture would thicken; then add the cooked quinoa and cook for 5-6 minutes
• In the end add honey and cook for 2-3 minutes more
• Once done remove the mixture from the pan and garnish with strawberries, flaxseeds & raisins

#4. Easy Quinoa Soup

Ingredients For Quinoa Soup

• 1 cup quinoa, cooked
• 2 cup vegetable/chicken stock
• 1 tbsp paneer/boiled chicken
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp mixed bell peppers
• 1 tsp chopped carrots
• 1/4th tsp black pepper
• 1/4th tsp rosemary or thyme seasoning

Method To Prepare Quinoa Soup

• In a pan add the vegetable stock and let it heat for few minutes
• Now add the vegetables and cook for another 2-3minutes
• Add salt
• Mix in the quinoa and paneer/boiled chicken
• Simply cook for 2-3 minutes since we do not want the quinoa to turn into a paste
• Add black pepper and the seasoning
• Your soup is ready to be served

#5. Quinoa Flaxseed Cookies

Ingredients For Quinoa Flaxseed Cookies

• ½ cup quinoa flour
• 1/4th cup coconut flour
• 1/4th cup oats flour
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• A pinch of salt
• 3 tsp vegetable oil
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsps choco-chips
• 1 tsp flaxseed powder
• ½ cup brown sugar/normal sugar
• ½ grated apple
• ½ tsp baking powder

Method For Quinoa Flaxseed Cookies

• In a bowl sieve quinoa flour, oats, baking powder and coconut flour
• Now add choco-chips and flaxseeds powder to the sieved mixture
• Now in another bowl mix egg, oil, vanilla extract, sugar, pinch of salt and apple. Blend well
• Add it to the flour mixture and keep on mixing with the help of a spatula. Do not over-mix it
• You can either make balls out of it or scoop out a small portion or place it on the sheet placed on the baking tray
• Bake it for approximately 8-10 minutes, keep checking in between
• Once done you can either give it to your little one or store it

Hoping you enjoyed these recipes that will tempt even your fussy eater. Asking your feedback, comments etc