Sunday 9 June 2013

Quinoa Love and a Fruity Quinoa Loaf


We're on the quinoa bandwagon.  I bought a bag at Costco, not long ago after reading about how healthy these pearly little grains are.  I had hoped that it would be a nice alternative to rice.  As it happens, quinoa is incredibly nutritious and versatile.  I've discovered it works equally well as a savoury side-dish, a cooked breakfast cereal, and a cold salad ingredient.  As if that wasn't enough to declare quinoa a winner in our house, I was further amazed by what it contributes to baked goods.  I teased you with a photo of this loaf a couple of weeks ago, and today I'm sharing the recipe with you.


As I've become more comfortable in the kitchen, I've also become more adventurous with recipes and ingredient substitutions.  I mean, if we can hide avocados in brownies and spinach in smoothies, what's a bit of quinoa in a loaf?  Turns out some plain cooked quinoa can replace part of the flour in a recipe, not only boosting the nutritional value but also creating a loaf that's moist and dense.


Some of the inspiration behind this loaf was a rather pathetic looking fruit basket.  By the end of the week, most of the fruit was past it's prime... bruised, over-ripe, and blemished.  It was still edible but the kids would have no part of it.  The easy solution was to chop it up and bake something.  Like a Quinoa Banana Yogurt Apple Nectarine Loaf.  Yep, all that needs to be in the name ... there's just so much goodness going on in here :)




Quinoa Banana Yogurt Apple Nectarine Loaf

1 cup cooked quinoa, cooled
2 large, ripe bananas, mashed
½ cup Greek vanilla yogurt
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 egg, room temperature
½ cup brown sugar

2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt

1 ½ cups chopped fruit – I used apples and nectarine because that’s what I had, but any combination of apples, peaches and pears would be good too.

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Grease a loaf pan.  I like to put a strip of parchment paper in the bottom to help the loaf release easily after it's baked.
Combine the quinoa with the bananas, yogurt, oil, egg and brown sugar in a mixing bowl.
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir to combine until just incorporated.
Fold in chopped fruit.  Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 min until toothpick inserted into centre of loaf comes out clean.  Transfer to cooling rack and allow to cool before slicing.


 

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73 comments:

  1. Jenn,
    Thank you for joining us at Let's Get Social Sunday.
    This quinoa loaf looks so moist and delicious. I've not cooked with quinoa much. But I will try this.
    I also have a link party on Tuesday, would love for you to come.
    Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile

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  2. I've only tried one quinoa dish and I hated it :) Must try something else!

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  3. I have the same bag of quinoa in my cabinet right now. My family loves quinoa, but I've never made bread with it, so I'm excited to try something new. Stopping by from the Marvelous Monday link party. =)

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  4. I look forward to trying this. I like quinoa but my husband doesn't so this will be a "sneaky" way to take some gluten out of our diet. Should be fun to experiment with.

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  5. Looks and sounds good, healthy and tasty! love that, Thanks for linking up to Marvelous Mondays at Call Me PMc ~Paula

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  6. I absolutely love quinoa but have not used it to bake with it yet! I think I need to give this a try! Hoping over from Marvelous Mondays link party!

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  7. First, thanks for posting the recipe. Second, I'm totally trying this out. I got a great deal on some golden pears at the market this weekend...I think they might be begging me to make them into this bread! Yes, I hear them calling to me now!

    I tried out a quinoa kale salad a few times that I really enjoyed. The kids gave it mixed reviews. A vegetarian friend raved about it though. That's pretty much all I've made out of our Costco sized bag of quinoa. I'll use it eventually...thanks to this bread!

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  8. I think this looks delicious. :) Thanks for sharing.

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  9. OOOOOoooo - delicious. Will definitely be trying that!

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  10. Oh, YUM! I think I'll have to keep this one in mind! Thanks for linking up with MommyCubed this month!
    ~dawn
    http://mommybloghoppers.blogspot.com

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  11. This looks great! I was wondering how quinoa would work in a bread/loaf, thanks for sharing this! I'm always looking for new ways to use quinoa, and this sounds really good!

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  12. I love quinoa but never as a sweet. I must try this recipe. Thanks for sharing.

    Have a great Tuesday.

    Ellya

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  13. Hi Jenn, thank you for linking up on The Lady's blog hop.
    This looks yummy and healthy! I wish I had an oven and try this one out :)
    See you again on the 24th for blog hop #2.

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  14. This is awesome. Quinoa is taking a whole new twist to me here. I wonder if I used whole wheat flour what it would be like? I may try that and let you know.

    Thanks for linking up at What'd You Do This Weekend? Come back next week with a new goodie! :D

    Wishes for tasty dishes,
    Linda
    Tumbleweed Contessa

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  15. I love new ways to get my family to eat quinoa!! Plus quick breads are a hit at my house - this recipe is great! Can't wait to try it, pinning right now. :) It would be awesome if you could stop by and link this recipe up to Tasty Tuesdays! (http://www.hungryharps.com/2013/06/tasty-tuesdays-14.html)

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  16. Adding the nectarines sounds great. And the picture of the loaf looks so appetizing.


    Heidi’s Wanderings

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  17. Quinoa is new to my diet, so I've been on the hunt for some good recipes. I'll be giving this one a try. Thanks for coming by and sharing at Fluster Buster's Creative Muster Party!

    Robin @ Fluster Buster

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  18. I have honestly never cooked with Quinoa. This recipe entices me to give it a try!

    I am co-hosting this week on the Fluster's Creative Muster Party. Thanks for sharing your creations with us! I hope you found inspiration in all of the terrific posts.

    I host a (Not SO) Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop and a TGIF Link Party at my place -- A Peek Into My Paradise... http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/ I would love for you to link up and follow if you like what you see. =) I follow back - I love making new friends!

    I can't wait to see what you link up next week!

    Hugs, Cathy

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  19. This loaf looks just wonderful!!
    I've baked quinoa chocolate cake so I know your loaf must have a lovely texture
    Thank you for the recipe :)

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  20. I have yet to bake with quinoa, this loaf sounds very yummy and I can't wait to give it a try Roechelle @ http://www.hugatreewithme.com

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  21. OH this looks good! Thank you for spreading JOY and sharing at the Oh What a HAPPY Day party.

    Holly at Not Done Growing

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  22. That looks really good! Gonna pin it. :)
    Thanks so much for sharing at the Healthy Tuesday hop!

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  23. What a lovely loaf of bread. I'm such a huge fan of quinoa. In fact, I just made a new recipe with it tonight!

    Stopping by from What's Cooking, Love? Pinning your delicious bread to my bread board. Have a fabulous weekend.

    Julie @ This Gal cooks

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  24. I love quinoa but haven't been very creative with it. Thanks for the inspiration! Thanks for sharing on the Tried and True recipe party! http://rediscovermom.blogspot.com/2013/06/tried-and-true-recipes-16.html

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  25. I adore Quinoa. I've made bread with it, but not a sweet version. Must try. Pinning!

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  26. Yum...this sounds like it would be such a delicious breakfast! This would be great to link-up to my Create It Thursday post...it's live now! www.lambertslately.com/2013/06/create-it-thursday-6-plus-features.html

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  27. Visiting from a Thursday blog carnival.. love quinoa . This looks amazing. Pinning it right now..

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  28. Sounds good to me! I make banana bread all the time and it's time for something new ~ I'll try it!
    I'm visiting today from Lamberts Lately. I hope you get the chance to visit my blog, linkup and and leave a comment, too!
    ~ Megin of VMG206
    Join me each Tuesday for Brag About It Link Party
    Join me Saturday at 5pm Central for DIY Showcase Link Party

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  29. Your fruit Quinoa loaf looks delicious. I am always looking for a great new recipe and this one looks awesome. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!


    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino

    The Chicken Chick

    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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  30. This looks good. I like the list of ingredients (the fruit combo sounds good) and I need to try it as I've started adding quinoa to my diet. Thanks

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  31. I can't wait to try this! I love quinoa.
    I found your blog via Pin Me Linky party. Have a nice weekend!
    Melanie
    violetsbuds.blogspot.com/

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  32. What a great idea! You inspired a whole new adventure for me. I'll start with your recipe and see how many more baked goods I can make with quinoa.

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  33. I have used quinoa on a regular basis in salads -- it provides a nice chewey texture to balance the crunchy of the greens. I had never thought of incorporating it into a quick bread, but it looks like it's next on my list.

    Bet I know what your Costco bag of the stuff looks like. Like mine. Great stuff.

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  34. Yum yum that looks delicious

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  35. This looks delicious, Jenn!

    Thanks for linking up to The Creative HomeAcre blog hop!

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  36. You made me laugh with the comment about the name of this recipe. I know what you mean. Sometimes my titles get out of hand, but I don't want to leave out key parts! I also know what you mean about the fruit basket scraps that everyone wants to ignore. This is a great and creative way save those poor pieces of fruit. Thank you for linking with See Ya in the Gumbo. It doesn't usually take me this long to visit, but it's been a long week! Nice to have you join in.

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  37. Oh my, this loaf looks fabulous!
    Thank you for sharing this at Wednesday Extravaganza - Hope to see you there again next week :)

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  38. I just love that you put quinoa in a bread. It makes such a healthy and delicious loaf. Thanks so much for sharing on Thursdays Treasures.

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  39. AMAZING! I featured YOU today at The Creative HomeAcre Hop!
    Looking forward to seeing what you share this week!

    http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2013/06/welcome-to-another-creative-homeacre-hop.html

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  40. This is a beautiful bread and looks so moist. Thank you so much for sharing your great recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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  41. I've seen quinoa used dozens of ways but never as a loaf! :) Gotta try this! :) Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! I’ve pinned this & shared it with my followers!

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  42. I've had a bag of quinoa in my cupboard for several months now. Still nervous about it. Come on Sarabeth, what's the worst that can happen?!?!?!

    I love the idea of putting it in a loaf. It looks really moist.

    Visiting from the Beautiful Moments GFC hop.

    Sarabeth
    Life of an Agnostic Sunday School Teacher

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  43. This sounds delicious! Pinning for later :-)

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  44. Hi Jenn,

    This looks yummy and now I am craving.

    Miriam of My Adventures with my 2 Kids favorited this post and you will be featured in our Top 10 on Saturday, June 22. Please watch out for it. Thank you for sharing and joining the Pin It Monday Hop. See you soon.

    Judy
    Pursuit Of Functional Home

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  45. I also love quinoa, I use it everywhere! Cookies, muffins, salty muffins, pancakes - sweet and salty -, meatballs, you name it! :-) This is a wonderful cake, I'm "stealing" your recipe.

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  46. I've never used quinoa; I didn't realize it was so versatile. Now I need to start! Thanks for linking up with Food on Friday!

    TaMara @ Tales of a Pee Dee Mama

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  47. Hey now.. I have a bag of that stuff in the cupboard too.. the baby likes to eat it, but it is such a mess to cleanup.. this is a much better idea!

    thanks!

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  48. I cannot believe I never thought of putting fruit with quinoa! :) What a fab idea! This loaf looks stunning! :) Thank you so much for linking up to the Play Wit Your Food Challenge! We'll be announcing the winner of the Apple round shortly! Also, I've pinned this recipe! :)

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  49. What a great combination. So moist and sweet and healthy all at the same time. I just popped over from RealFood Fridays, and enjoy your link. I'd love to have you drop by and visit me sometime at www.kneadedcreations.com Deb @ Kneaded Creations

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  50. Hi Jenn, your delicious Fruity Quinoa Loaf will be featured on my Top 5 Features tonight! Thank you so much for linking up last week and hope you link up tomorrow night! Congratulations, stop by and grab a "Featured" button!

    Have a Sweet Week!
    Heather
    MySweetMission.net

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  51. Hi Jenn, I just got on the quinoa bandwagon myself and I am so happy with a healthier alternative to rice and pasta. This is a super-creative idea to use quinoa and I definitely am going to try it! Pinning!

    I would love for you to come over and link up at Wine'd Down Wednesday if you get a chance. We are live every Tuesday evening until Friday! Hope to see you there!
    (Just stop by my site dizzybusyandhungry.com and you will see the party, one or two posts down on the home page!)

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  52. Thanks so much for coming over and linking up at Wine'd Down Wednesday!

    I am pinning this onto our new WDW Pinterest board. Hope to see you back again next week!

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  53. This looks SO good! Thanks for linking up with "Try a New Recipe Tuesday." I am featuring you this coming week! :-) Congratulations! Be sure to stop by and grab an "I've been featured" button from my sidebar for your blog. I look forward to seeing what you will share on Tuesday. Have a great rest of your weekend. :-)

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  54. I've never baked with quinoa, but your loaf looks delicious! Thank you for sharing this wholesome treat with us at the Hearth and Soul hop.

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  55. Okay, I am most definitely trying this!!

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  56. G'day! never cooked with quinoa...is on my list! Great photo and recipe!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Cheers! Joanne
    Viewed as part of the Foodie Friends Friday Recipes that tell a Story

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  57. This sounds so good. I've never heard of quinoa loaf before. Can't wait to try it. Thank you for linking up with Recipe writers this month!

    Amanda Rose
    sewmuch2say.com

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  58. Wow, that looks so tasty!!! And easy too! Lucky me, I just made a big batch of quinoa yesterday. Thanks for linking up for January Recipe Writers!

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  59. OMG this is crazy! I guess there will be NO excuse to try the quinoa in our cupboards. LOL. Banana good. Yogurt good. Quinoa, what? I must try for sure.

    Thanks for linking at #whyfakeitjustmakeit

    mamaandthecity.com

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  60. Jenn, I love that you used leftover fruit to create this delicious loaf - it's part of what the Hearth and Soul is all about! The ingredients are so wholesome too. Thank you for sharing it with us. I'll bel featuring it in my H&S post this week :-)

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  61. What a fantastic idea! I love cooking with quinoa but never thought about adding it to a bread or other baked goods. Thanks for letting us in on the secret with Recipe Sharing Monday.

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  62. Stopping by from Bloggers Brags to pin up your fabulous post. Would love it if you come come by and share at the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop (Tues 7 pm EST)!
    Blessings,
    Shari
    http://puregracefarms.com/2014/07/wonderful-wednesday-blog-hop-80/

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  63. This bread sounds delicious! I love quinoa and quinoa flour, but I have been avoiding it lately because my oldest son is showing a slight sensitivity to it. I'm hoping after avoiding it for a while he will be able to eat it again so that I can use it.
    Thanks for linking up in the Bloggers Brags Party on Surviving Toddlerhood, I hope you can come back again soon!

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  64. What a nice looking bread. Looks really scrumptious. Thank you for sharing at the Recipe Swap.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Unknown :) Couldn't reply via email, but wanted to let you know I'm grateful that you stopped by!

      Delete
  65. Oh wow! I don't think I've heard of using quinoa to make a loaf of bread. Pinning for later :)

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  66. YUM! I have been looking for a delicious and health loaf for a while. This one looks great xx

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  67. I love quinoa and I never thought to use it in this way!! :-) Thank you, thank you so much for sharing this delicious dish on Making Memories Mondays!! I am so glad that you came!
    Cathy

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  68. Mmmm quinoa in bread! This bread looks so refreshing! I've never baked with quinoa before only used it in savory dishes but let me say this looks great and I think I'll be giving this a try! Thanks for sharing with us at #ThrowbackThursday and hope to see you again this week!

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  69. Ooh - I want to try this! I've yet to try out to quinoa in bread, but it sounds like a great idea! Thanks for sharing :)

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