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In the summertime, a simple yogurt parfait is one of those easy breakfast options that can’t be beat, whether you prefer to prep your meals in advance or whip up something each morning. That classic combination ofgut-healthy Greek yogurt,refreshing fruitandcrunchy granolacan help you start the day nutritiously without breaking a sweat.
But if you’re in the market for a way to shake up your parfait routine—and get in some extra protein while you’re at it—Katie Lee Biegel may have just the tip for you. The Food Network host hopped onInstagramover the weekend to share a favorite way to level up parfait cups: cooked quinoa.
In her recipe, Biegel ditches the typical granola and opts for a couple of thin layers of cooked quinoa, a delish whole grain that goes with just about anything. Though the quinoa won’t offer quite as much crunch, it does offer significant staying power. Each of Biegel’s parfait cups contains 1/4 cup of quinoa, whichcontains 2 grams protein and a gram of fiber. In combination with Greek yogurt—Biegel uses theplain, nonfat varietyfor this recipe—each of these parfaits contains about 15 grams of protein in each serving, making thema high-protein breakfast option.
Any seasonal fruit would be fun in these cups, but Biegel opts for golden kiwi, blueberries and raspberries. We love to usestrawberries, bananas,pineapple and even shredded coconutto bring fruity flavor to the morning, but opting for whatever fruit is in season can help you keep costs down or shop locally.
And if you’re worried that you’ll miss the added crunch of typical granola-layered parfait, you could try swapping in crispy quinoa.Justine Doiron’s methodfor making your quinoa toasty and crunchy would be a lot of fun in this recipe. Simply take your cooked quinoa and drizzle some neutral oil over it, then bake on a cookie sheet in a thin layer at 375°F for 30 minutes, stirring the quinoa every 10 minutes. For the last 10 minutes, add some more citrus zest, some lemon or lime juice or a little honey—heck, you could even add some slivered almonds, a touch of cinnamon or dash of vanilla—and let it finish baking. The result is a bronzed quinoa that brings more texture to any dish, including an easy breakfast like this one.
This Crispy Quinoa Recipe Might Just Become Your New Favorite Protein-Packed Salad Topper
However you customize this parfait formula, adding a whole grain pantry staple is an easy way to bring a little more filling power to your morning. Just grab your spoon and get ready to dig in.
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