Strawberry Quinoa Muffins

Did you know that quinao is a complete protein which includes all 9 essential amino acids? It's well-endowed with the amino acid lysine which is essential for tissue growth and repair. There are different varieties of quinoa as in the whole seed, quinoa flour and quinoa pasta. You can use quinoa in so many different ways too!  Alright....on to the recipe.

Strawberry Quinoa Muffins

Makes 1 dozen

Dry ingredients

2 c. cooked quinoa

1 c. whole wheat pastry flour

1/3 c. turbinado sugar (can use brown sugar)

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. extra fine sea salt

1 tsp. lemon zest

Wet ingredients

1/3 c. soy milk (or any other non-diary milk)

1/4 c. apple sauce

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3/4 c. fresh strawberries, diced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin tin with non stick cupcake papers or mist with a non-stick spray.

-In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar baking powder, salt and lemon zest. 

-Add the quinoa to the dry ingredients and combine.

-In a seperate bowl, whisk the soy milk, vanilla, and applesauce.

-Add the wet ingredients to the quinoa mixture.

-Fold in strawberries.

-Divide the batter into each muffin cup.

-Bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.

Banana Strawberry Chocolate Chip Bars

Another banana recipe.  Over ripe bananas, strawberries, an chips..I could throw something together. And guess what, it worked!

Banana Strawberry Chocolate Chip Bars

1 c. old fashion oatmeal

1 c. whole wheat pastry flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. extra fine sea salt

good dash of cinnamon

1/2 c. diced strawberries

2 large over ripe mashed bananas 

1/4 c. turbinado sugar

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 TBSP. pure maple syrup

1/2 c. non dairy chocolate chips

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Spray a 6" x 10" pan with non-stick cooking spray.

-Whisk oatmeal through cinnamon in a medium bowl. Gently stir in strawberries to coat.

-In a large bowl, whisk together the banana, sugar, vanilla, and maple syrup. 

-Add dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and gently stir a couple times. Add chocolate chips and stir until blended.

-Spread evenly into the prepared baking dish.

Bake for 25- 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.