Cacao Tahini Quinoa Bowls

The cacao sauce is based on Eat with Andy recipe. It's SO good, she's a genius.

A few years ago people named quinoa the health food of the year and suddenly quinoa started appearing everywhere. I was part of that fuss I guess and started experimenting with quinoa until I got sick of it and went back to my beloved rice.

I don't know about you, but I find quinoa in savory dishes to have an aftertaste that I don't like very much. However, in this sweet breakfast recipe, it's delicious! I believe that cacao can cover any unwanted flavors and the proof of that is the avocado chocolate mousse recipe that went viral a year ago.

I love having quinoa for breakfast before a busy day as it will keep me full  for a while and it's so satisfying as it has a crunch to it that unfortunately oatmeal does not have (Oats are still one of my favorites, though.)

Tip: I love saving the leftovers in mason jars and topping it with the chocolate sauce, then eat them cold at work or later for dessert.

Cacao Tahini Quinoa Bowls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dry quinoa
• 2 cups almond milk
• 1/2 cup coconut milk optional
• 2 tbsp cacao powder
• 5-10 sukkari dates chopped (depending on how sweet you want it)
• 1 tbsp shredded coconut/almond meal

Cacao Sauce:

• 2 tbsp tahini
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tbsp cacao powder
• Water to thin

Toppings:

• Cacao nibs, shredded coconut, buckwheat groats.

Steps:

1. Rinse the quinoa in a strainer then add it to a saucepan on medium heat
2. Cook the quinoa until the water evaporates and it gets a bit toasted
3. Keep tossing it so it doesn't burn
4. Add the almond milk and let it simmer
5. When about half of the milk is absorbed, add the dates.
6. When most of the milk is absorbed add the cacao powder and coconut/almond meal and mix very well
7. Let it cook until the milk is all absorbed then turn off the heat and add the coconut milk if using or you can add it to you bowl instead. Whatever you prefer
8. Top with shredded coconut
9. To make the sauce, simply mix all the ingredients together and then slowly add a little bit of water at a time to thin. About 2 tbsp or so.
10. Enjoy hot or cold.