Quinoa Power Breakfast with arugula and roasted radishes – a protein packed, flavorful, nutritious way to start your day. And it can be made in just 30 minutes!
Happy New Year, Friends! I hope everyone had a fun and safe celebration. I’ve had about 2 weeks off from doing much of anything blog related. It was a much needed break, but the kids go back to school tomorrow and I’m ready to hit the ground running again.
A few weeks ago, hubby and I escaped to Kohler, WI, for an extended weekend getaway. We ate, we drank, we hit the spa (the highlight of the trip!!), we smiled, we laughed, we relaxed! Bliss!
We enjoyed brunch in the Wisconsin Room restaurant one morning. Hubby hit up the HUGE fancy buffet, but since there wasn’t much in the way of plant based foods up there besides fruit, I ordered off the menu. As luck would have it, they had a Quinoa Power Breakfast and a healthy Green Smoothie on the menu and both were delicious!
I loved the quinoa so much that I decided to recreate it when I got home and this recipe is the result. I hope you love it too!
Breakfast – the Most Important Meal of the Day
You know what “they” say – breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It sets the tone for the rest of the day. Choose a sugary donut and soda, you’ll be exhausted by 10am and I’m guessing you won’t be hitting the gym later. Choose healthy carbs, protein and greens and you’ll power through your day like a rockstar, checking off your to-do list like a boss.
This Quinoa Power Breakfast will fill you up without filling you out. Get ready to take on the day!
Protein Packed Quinoa
Quinoa is a naturally gluten free, plant based complete protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs. You cook it and eat like you would most grains, but quinoa is actually a seed, in the same family as spinach and chard. It contains antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also high in manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, fiber, and folate.
I usually use tri-colored quinoa because I think it’s prettier, but I opted for white quinoa this time because I used turmeric (I’m obsessed with turmeric lately!) and I really wanted that golden color to come through and let the beauty of the tomatoes and radishes shine.
Roasted Radishes
I’ve shown you how to roast radishes before in my Roasted Radish and Brussels Sprouts Salad and I’m doing it again because they are so good! Roasting them really mellows out the flavor and tones done the “spiciness.”
Radishes are low in calories, and high in nutrients. They are incredibly high in antioxidants and contain high amounts of vitamin C, and also decent levels of B vitamins, folate, and calcium. You need to get some radishes in your diet asap!
Quinoa Power Breakfast
I hope you guys love this Quinoa Power Breakfast as much we do! If you give it a try, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback and star rating. And don’t forget to share on social media! Tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it! Enjoy and Happy New Year!
- 1/2 small white onion (diced)
- 1 cup white quinoa (rinsed and drained)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp turmeric
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- dash of cayenne
- 1 tomato (seeds removed) (diced)
- salt/pepper to taste
- big handful of arugula
- 10-12 radishes (quartered)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- sprinkle salt/pepper
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Toss the quartered radishes with the olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Roast for 15-20 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through to redistribute.
- Meanwhile, in a medium pot, sauté the diced onion in 1-2 tbsp of water until soft, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add the broth, turmeric, lemon juice, cayenne, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 10-15 minutes until the quinoa is tender.
- Add the diced tomato and arugula to the quinoa. Stir. Taste and add additional salt/pepper if needed.
- Serve with the roasted radishes and another squeeze of lemon over everything, if desired.
This dish would also make a great easy lunch or light dinner!
More Clean Eating Vegan Breakfast Recipes :
My Favorite Avocado Toast (nut free, oil free, refined sugar free, and gluten free option)
Baked Oatmeal Muffins w/ Cranberries (gluten free, nut free, refined sugar free and oil free!)
Coconut Chia Granola (oil free, gluten free, nut free, refined sugar free!)
Helena says
This is the healthiest breakfast I’ve ever seen. I love eating radish in salads but I’ve never tried them for breakfast! I need to seriously start losing some weight so I’m thinking this power breakfast might be what I need to start my day better (stop the snacking!)
Jenn S. says
I hope you love it, Helena! I’m not a nutritionist, but personally, I think snacking is ok. Sometimes we need a little something to get us through to our next meal. As long as it’s healthy snacking and done when you’re truly hungry, not just out of habit, it can actually prevent overeating later in the day. Good luck! Let me know if you try this Power Breakfast!
The Vegan 8 says
Would you believe I’ve never even had a radish?! Are they sweet at all? This looks like such a unique but totally comforting breakfast!
Jenn S. says
What? Never? They are definitely not sweet when eaten raw – they are spicy. But roasting them does bring out some sweetness and tones down the spiciness a lot! Let me know if you try it! Thanks, Brandi!
Sarah says
I’m totally intrigued by your roasted radishes! (Though I would never stop myself from having a donut for breakfast 🙂 ) I might have to try the radishes for dinner!!! YUM!
Jenn S. says
Perfect for dinner as well! Thanks, Sarah! I hope you love them!
Alisa Fleming says
This look so insanely nourishing. I’m going to have to try turmeric in quinoa next time I make it – such a beautiful hue!
Jenn S. says
Definitely makes it pretty. But, I love the flavor it brings too! Let me know if you try it!
Edwina at The Equipped Cook says
This looks really healthy but it appeals to me more as a lunch dish. I agree you need a nutritious breakfast but I do prefer quinoa for lunch or dinner. I’m interested in trying the roasted radishes. It looks good.
Jenn S. says
Totally delicious for lunch or dinner too! Thanks, Edwina. I hope you enjoy it!
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says
Happy New Year! This looks like a great breakfast! I’ve roasted radishes, but I’m going to have to give it a try.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Dianne! I hope you love it!
Linda - Veganosity says
Yep, gotta ditch the sugar in the morning if you want to have the energy to work out later. This looks delicious, Jenn! Your weekend away sounds like heaven. How fun!
Jenn S. says
It was so awesome! Have you ever been there? Their spa is beyond amazing!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says
I have never heard of roasted radishes but I totally need to give them a try! Looks like a filling and awesome way to start the day!
Jenn S. says
You definitely need to try them, Sophia! It really takes away their spiciness and makes them nice and creamy inside. Enjoy! 🙂
Mary Ellen - VNutrition says
This looks like the perfect healthy breakfast! I feel like people are looking for more healthy breakfasts now so I’ll be sharing this with them!
Glad you had fun on your getaway, the spa is always my fav part too!
Jenn S. says
I live for spa visits! They don’t happen often enough, but I relish every moment when they do! Thanks, Mary Ellen!
Ginny McMeans says
You eat so good at your house. That sounds delicious. The toasts too 🙂
Jenn S. says
Well, not always, but we do try our best. Right now, we are running late for the bus and I threw bowls of cereal at all of them. LOL!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
As soon as I saw the radishes, I knew I had to try this recipe! What a delicious breakfast!
Jenn S. says
Yay, another radish lover!! Thanks, Amy. Hope you love it!
Alisa Fleming says
I kid you not, I was just thinking today, “why aren’t there more quinoa breakfast recipes?” You are always on top of it Jenn!!
Jenn S. says
Oh, yes, I’m so “on trend.” LOL!! I guess you can thank the restaurant in Kohler, WI, for inspiring me!! 🙂 Thanks, Alisa!
Megan says
I would have never thought to have radishes with my breakfast! This is a great way to get some extra veggies in! I love the flavors you have in the quinoa too!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Megan! It’s super flavorful! A great way to perk up your tastebuds first thing in the morning!! 🙂
Mel says
I love everything about this and would eat it for breakfast, lunch or dinner! I adore roasted radishes and all the goodness you have going on there with the quinoa and turmeric too is just great.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Mel! Indeed it would make a wonderful lunch or dinner as well!
Becky Striepe says
Oh my gosh, this looks so good! I love roasted radishes, and adding them to breakfast, is genius.
Jenn S. says
All the flavors of this dish together – I’m totally obsessed! 🙂 Thanks, Becky!
amanda -runtothefinish says
You know I”m obsessed with finding ways to get more veggies in breakfast, so I love this totally new idea. I don’t do a lot with radishes, great reminder to mix it up