Seared Plums with Cinnamon Quinoa
This elegant dish combines sweet-tart seared plums with fluffy cinnamon-infused quinoa, topped with nuts, honey, and fresh mint. It’s a vibrant blend of textures and flavors — great as a nourishing breakfast, brunch centerpiece, or healthy dessert.
Time:
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves 2–3
Ingredients:
For the Quinoa:
½ cup quinoa, rinsed
1 cup water or unsweetened almond milk
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 pinch salt
For the Seared Plums:
3–4 ripe plums, halved and pitted
1 tbsp butter or olive oil
1 tsp brown sugar or honey
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp lemon juice
Toppings (optional but recommended):
Chopped toasted almonds or pistachios
Extra honey or maple syrup, for drizzling
Fresh mint or basil leaves
Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt, for serving
Instructions:
1. Cook the Cinnamon Quinoa:
In a saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa, water (or almond milk), cinnamon, honey/maple syrup, and salt.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
Turn off the heat and let it steam, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
2. Sear the Plums:
While quinoa is cooking, heat butter or oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Add plum halves, cut-side down. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
Cook for 3–4 minutes, without moving, until caramelized.
Flip and cook another 1–2 minutes. Add a splash of lemon juice and remove from heat.
3. Assemble:
Spoon quinoa into bowls.
Top with seared plums.
Garnish with nuts, herbs, yogurt, and a drizzle of honey or syrup.
Notes & Tips:
Use red or black plums for best color and contrast.
Make ahead: Cook the quinoa the night before and reheat with a splash of milk in the morning.
Add a dash of vanilla extract to the quinoa for extra depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use other fruits instead of plums?
A: Yes! Peaches, nectarines, apricots, or even figs work beautifully with this recipe.
Q: Is this gluten-free?
A: Yes, quinoa is naturally gluten-free. Always check yogurt and toppings if needed.
Q: Can I serve it cold?
A: Absolutely — it also makes a delicious chilled quinoa fruit bowl for summer.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 320
Protein: 8g
Fat: 11g
Carbs: 48g
Fiber: 6g
Sugar: 16g