Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

Breakfast doesn't have to be the usual eggs and bacon or dry cereal and milk.  This Quinoa Breakfast Bowl is delicious, filling and good for you.  It's full of protein, fiber and vitamins.    

1/2 cup cooked quinoa**
1 banana, sliced
1/4 cup walnuts (or pecans or other nuts)
1 cup whole strawberries (or other seasonal fruit or berries)
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey (optional)

Place all ingredients in a bowl drizzling the maple syrup or honey, if using, over the top.

**Basic Quinoa Recipe: (Makes 3 cups)
2 cups water (Vegetable or chicken broth may be used to boost the flavor. If all of the quinoa will be for breakfast, use water.)
1 cup quinoa

Rinse the quinoa well and drain. (Do not skip this part.  Quinoa has a bitter coating that needs to be rinsed away.)  Place quinoa and clean water in a 1½ quart saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook 12 to 15 minutes or until almost or all of the water is absorbed. As quinoa cooks, the germ is released from the exterior of the grain and forms a tiny spiral. You will know that the quinoa is done when all of the grains have turned from white to translucent and the spiral-like germ has separated. Drain off any excess water and then fluff with a fork.