Name: Cinnamon-Scented Breakfast Quinoa
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Yield: Makes 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa (all red or a mix of red, white, or black); 1 1/2 cups water; 2 cinnamon sticks; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Broken or chopped walnuts, pure maple syrup or honey, milk, and flaky sea salt such as Maldon

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Cinnamon-Scented Breakfast QuinoaWilliam Minifie

Is quinoa the new breakfast of champions? According to a marathon runner friend, it is. She loads up on quinoa before every race. But you don't have to be an athlete to get an energy boost from it. My husband and I find that a big bowl of quinoa in the morning holds us well into the afternoon. We love the chewy texture and earthier flavor of the red quinoa, but because it costs a bit more than the white variety, I often mix the two. If you add some of the black, you'll really start the day on a colorful note.

Feel free to add as many accompaniments as you wish. I'm a big fan of flaky sea salt and love the surprise of a little briny crunch on top of my morning cereal.

Cooks' notes:

The quinoa will stay warm, covered but off the heat, for 15 to 20 minutes. Even if a package says that the quinoa is prewashed, washing it is still recommended. The cinnamon sticks can be washed off, dried, and reused. (I leave mine out in a small bowl near the oven so they can really dry out.)