Trading Up Downtown

Often times, my blog readers ask me how I come up with my ideas for recipes. Usually, I like to trade-up the nutrition of my meals by adding foods with lots of nutrients and that score high on the NuVal scale. Other times, there’s perishable ingredients in my kitchen that need to be used up before they go bad. I hate seeing food go to waste because it’s like throwing away money! This morning’s breakfast creation came about from a combination of the two.

My inspiration started with leftover Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin (NuVal score: 94) and cooked Bob’s Red Mill Organic Whole Grain Quinoa (NuVal score: 91). Each were in Tupperware containers in my refrigerator just waiting to be eaten. I didn’t want either of them to go to waste, so they got my brain thinking about what to make with them.

The rest of my inspiration came from nutritious (and fun) foods in my kitchen that I wanted to use to trade-up up my meal:

• Bear Naked Peak Protein Granola
• SO Delicious Original Coconut Milk Beverage (NuVal score: 30)
• All Whites Liquid Egg Whites (NuVal score: 26)

Further breakfast inspiration came from a (serendipitous) cooking disaster. I planned to make a pancake of sorts with these ingredients, but my creation stuck to the pan and fell apart, so I “stir fried” it in order to cook it all of the way.

Breakfast “Stir Fry”

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin (NuVal score: 94) 
• 1/4 cup cooked Bob’s Red Mill Organic Whole Grain Quinoa (NuVal score: 91)
• 1/4 cup Bear Naked Peak Protein Granola
• 1/4 cup SO Delicious Original Coconut Milk Beverage (NuVal score: 30)
• 1/2 cup All Whites Liquid Egg Whites (NuVal score: 26)
• Cinnamon to taste

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
2. Preheat a skillet, spray with non-stick spray, and pour in the batter.
3. Heat and stir until mixture is fully cooked.
4. Remove from heat and serve with your favorite toppings.  

Makes 1 serving

Surprisingly, breakfast turned out really well with lots of nutritious ingredients and also because the quinoa and granola added such a nice crunch to it. Additionally, I added two big scoops of Teddie Super Chunky Peanut Butter (NuVal score: 38) for some serious staying power. I swear, this stuff stick to my ribs and keeps me full for hours and hours!

I’ll definitely keep this recipe in mind for future breakfasts since it was everything I like in a breakfast: nutritious, satisfying, and delicious!

Have you ever had a cooking “disaster” that turned out surprisingly well?

Category: Recipes, Trade Ups by Tina