Photo courtesy of Cristina Cavanaugh, Begin Within Nutrition
You may know how easy it is to cook quinoa in a rice cooker – but here’s another modern kitchen convenience that will add to your love of quinoa: the slow cooker. Simply add your ingredients and let the slow cooker do its job as you go about your day, and eventually come home to a delicious, nutritious meal. Here are some slow cooker quinoa ideas you may like to try:
Crockpot Quinoa Chili, Everyday Reading
Always a favorite on a cold winter’s day, a bowl of chili has a special way of warming us up. This vegan version features one of our favorite gluten-free ancient grains as well as beans, tomatoes and fresh vegetables. Add spice to taste, and toppings like creamy guacamole or sour cream.
Crockpot Chicken Fried Quinoa, The Holzmanns
An interesting take on the classic fried rice, this dish instead uses quinoa and is cooked in a slow cooker for optimal flavor and ease. Customize by adding whatever vegetables you like (or have on hand) for a complete meal that cooks throughout the day.
Sweet Potato, Chicken and Quinoa Soup, Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Seasonal sweet potatoes meet hearty chicken breast, black beans and quinoa for a satisfying and nutritious soup. Not only does this recipe make a delicious cold-weather meal, but it will also fill your home with wonderful sweet and savory scents as it cooks.
Apple Cinnamon Quinoa, Healthy à la Mode
And speaking of sweet: We simply can’t wait to try this recipe for apple cinnamon quinoa cooked in a slow cooker. The combination of coconut sugar, cinnamon, allspice, vanilla and maple syrup sounds like the perfect way to flavor a creamy, hearty blend of quinoa, diced apple, and chopped walnuts.
Crockpot Quinoa Breakfast Casserole with Tomato and Spinach, Slow Cooker from Scratch
Another way to make your mornings a little brighter would be to prepare this quinoa breakfast casserole – and, of course, devour it. With fresh tomatoes and spinach, a variety of cheeses, eggs and quinoa, this dish is sure to energize you for the day ahead.
Crockpot Quinoa Lentil Tacos, Begin Within Nutrition (pictured)
Inspired by south of the border flavors and filled with superfoods, these quinoa lentil tacos are just as tasty as they are nutritious. Fill your gluten-free tortillas with this blend of sweet potatoes, lentils and quinoa (beautifully seasoned and cooked in your slow cooker) and top with fresh lettuce, cilantro and avocado for a truly memorable meal.
We have even more gluten-free, slow cooker-friendly recipes available on the recipes page at AncientHarvest.com. (In particular, be sure to check out the Slow Cooker White Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies that Lauren Kelly Nutrition created for our recent Modern Meal Cook-Off!)
