Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (2024)

(updated May 3, 2023) // by Phoebe Lapine // 12 comments

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Earlier this fall I started doing some recipe development for Roland Foods. My mom and I have been longtime fans of their strong Dijon mustard – something that’s hard to find outside of France, and often leads to a suitcase full of jars every time one of us returns from Europe. Though I probably would accept payment in the form of hot, sinus-clearing mustard, they were plenty of other perks to the job. One of them was getting to play around with specialty grains I’ve never worked with before – things like Einkorn wheat, turanicum, and farro. Of course, I couldn’t really taste more than a small nibble of these gluteny things. So my favorite part of the project was the amaranth recipes.

I grew up eating a lot of quinoa and millet, but for whatever reason, amaranth didn’t quite get as much attention in my mom’s gluten-free pantry. It’s slightly smaller and finer than its other seedy step sisters, which makes for a nice crunchy coating for chicken or fish, without having to grind it into flour. This was one of the recipes I experimented with. But the more popular use for amaranth is as a porridge, either savory or sweet.

I’ve never been much of a warm breakfast cereal person. But my dad is the oatmeal king. It’s one of the two things he’ll make for himself (the other is a smoothie). And he takes endless pride in his fruit and oat combinations. I’ve often woken up to my house guest or boyfriend being force-fed dad’s fiber-rich oatmeal at the dining room table. My mom and I have never been the most consensual oatmeal eaters (even pre-gluten free), so a captive audience for his breakfast creations is something to be seized with gusto.

Breakfast is of course a relative term when you suffer from insomnia and Ambien eating. My dad’s oatmeal is usually prepared anywhere between the hours of 2 and 10am. And it’s a sure sign of a bad night’s sleep when I wake up at 7am and see a dirty oatmeal pot in the sink, though it’s better than finding an entire box of my gluten-free cookies laying empty on the counter.

For someone who doesn’t like breakfast porridge, I’ve sure made a lot of it over the last few months. My blueberry oatmeal is a favorite of my weekly client. And in addition to this amaranth breakfast porridge, I also developed 10 oatmeal recipes for Food & Wine’s website this fall. My mom certainly takes the gluten-free cake when it comes to most of my recipe inspiration, especially at breakfast. But whenever I’m standing alone over the stove, watching my oatmeal slowly simmer away in milk, I always think of my dad.

It’s his 65th birthday tomorrow and we’ll be celebrating many years of life, love, and 4am oatmeal. Perhaps as a gift this year, I’ll agree to one day letting him feed me some.

xo
Phoebe

Amaranth Breakfast Porridge with Blueberry Compote

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Phoebe Lapine

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces fresh or frozen blueberries about 2 cups
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 cup amaranth
  • 2 cups milk
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • ¼ cup finely chopped toasted walnuts

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, sugar, zest and two tablespoons water. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the blueberry skins have popped and the mixture has reduced slightly, about 10 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, combine the amaranth and milk in a medium lidded saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, until the grains are tender and thick, about 15 minutes. Stir in the maple syrup.

  • Serve the amaranth pudding in bowls and top with the blueberry compote and walnuts.

Nutrition

Serving: 2g

Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (8)If you make this, tag @phoebelapine and #feedmephoebe - I'd love to see it!

Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (9)

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Comments

  1. Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (10)Liz @ Virtually Homemade says

    This looks so yummy and healthy! I’ve never cooked with amaranth but definitely want to give it a try.

    Reply

  2. Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (11)amanda says

    ohhhh this looks really good. i’ve been experimenting some with other grains and it really is so fun to discover how delicious so many of them are!

    Reply

  3. Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (12)Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says

    This is definitely comfort breakfast in a bowl Phoebe – love that blueberry compote!

    Reply

  4. Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (13)Frankie says

    Amaranth is good for cookies too!

    Reply

    • Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (14)Phoebe Lapine says

      recipe?

      Reply

  5. Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (15)Jake Steijn says

    I like the compote, useful so many ways beyond this recipe!

    Reply

    • Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (16)Phoebe Lapine says

      Definitely! Also great on French Toast 🙂

      Reply

  6. Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (17)Adelina says

    Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (18)
    Hi there! I was really exited when I found this recipe, since I really wanted to try out new grain. I was following your recipe exactly but after simmering for 40 min it seemed not to be cooked ( I had to add extra milk as well) Does maybe amaranth needs to be soaked before cooking?

    Reply

Amaranth Recipes - Breakfast Porridge with Bluebery Compote (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to soak amaranth before cooking? ›

Soaking: If you have the time, consider soaking the amaranth overnight before cooking. "Soaking the grains makes their nutrients easier to digest and shortens the cooking time," says Ziata. Simply combine amaranth and water in a large bowl, completely submerging the grains.

Can you eat amaranth as a cereal? ›

Popped amaranth makes a delicious light and fluffy breakfast cereal. Mix it with milk, soymilk or yogurt. Combine it with oats and add fresh or dried fruits - just like regular cereals. You can prepare them as a savory snack as well.

What can you add to porridge? ›

Banish breakfast boredom with our porridge variations.
  • Banana, raisins and a sprinkle of nutmeg. ...
  • Strawberries and blueberries. ...
  • Cherry and chia seeds. ...
  • Banana, raspberry, almond butter and cinnamon. ...
  • Flaked almonds and chopped dates. ...
  • Walnuts, pear slices and ginger. ...
  • Peaches and raspberries. ...
  • Stewed plums.

Is amaranth still crunchy? ›

When cooked with liquid, amaranth plumps up and gels not unlike chia seeds. And, like those chia seeds, you'll find they will always be a bit crunchy.

Is amaranth better than Oatmeal? ›

Amaranth is an ancient grain with a slightly sweet, nutty taste that works well in place of oatmeal. In addition to being gluten-free, amaranth is a good source of several key nutrients, including protein, fiber, iron, and manganese ( 1 ).

Why does my amaranth taste bitter? ›

Angelone says amaranth should be rinsed before cooking in order to eliminate saponin, a naturally occurring phytochemical that gives the unwashed grain a bitter taste.

Is amaranth healthier than quinoa? ›

While quinoa has proteins as good as 8 grams per cup, amaranth has 9 grams per cup. Amaranth has double the protein than rice or wheat, Makhija added. Quinoa has 3 grams of iron per cup and amaranth has 5 grams of iron in the same quantity which makes it a richer food, she points out.

Can you eat too much amaranth? ›

Avoid eating too much amaranth from agricultural fields. The leaves (like those of spinach, sorrel and many other greens) also contain oxalic acid, which can be poisonous to livestock or to humans with kidney issues of eaten in large amounts.

Is amaranth porridge good for you? ›

The nutrients in amaranth can offer significant health benefits as a part of a healthy diet. It's a source of vitamin C, which is vital to the body's healing process because it helps process iron, form blood vessels, repair muscle tissue, and maintain collagen.

What is the healthiest porridge? ›

"It's a common misconception that one type of oat is healthier than another," said Rizzo. "They are all actually identical in terms of their nutrition. The difference is how they are rolled and cut." However, Price added that since instant oats are the most processed option, they generally have salt and added sugars.

How to make porridge taste amazing? ›

One of my favorite ways to make oatmeal taste good without adding any sugar is to add a super ripe mashed banana to the bowl before adding the oats and milk. It makes it nice and sweet and creamy! I also love adding berries to oatmeal (if they are frozen, add them before cooking, otherwise, add them after it's cooked).

Why was amaranth banned? ›

Like all azo dyes, Amaranth was, during the middle of the 20th century, made from coal tar; modern synthetics are more likely to be made from petroleum byproducts. Since 1976, amaranth dye has been banned in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a suspected carcinogen.

Why does amaranth hurt my stomach? ›

While amaranth is considered easier to digest than some other grains due to its lack of gluten, it is high in insoluble fiber which can lead to digestive discomfort in some people. However, the extent to which amaranth is difficult to digest depends on factors such as age, health status, and diet.

What does amaranth symbolize? ›

The color amaranth represents immortality in Western civilization. The name is derived from the name of a flower in Greek mythology that was believed to never die and grew in the abode of the Greek gods on Mount Olympus. Something that is perceived as everlasting may be described by the adjective amaranthine.

Do we need to soak amaranth seeds? ›

To activate amaranth grain, soak your amaranth grain in water for at least 8 hours (and up to 24).

How long should amaranth be soaked? ›

Step 2: Soak: When possible soak amaranth overnight to improve digestion and increase the absorption of nutrients. For every 1 cup grain add 1 Tbsp. of apple cider vinegar (ACV) or lemon juice, cover and soak in filtered water overnight at room temperature.

What is the best way to prepare amaranth? ›

With an earthy, nutty flavor, amaranth is perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner and every snack in between. For a pilaf, bring 1 ½ cups water and ¼ teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium pot. Add amaranth, reduce heat and simmer, cover until liquid is absorbed, which will be about 20 minutes.

How do you soak and cook amaranth? ›

Preparation
  1. In a medium bowl, place water, lemon juice, and amaranth, and soak overnight (on countertop or fridge).
  2. Once amaranth is soaked, rinse under cold water and discard soaking liquid.
  3. In a small pot, add soaked amaranth and 3 cups of fresh water. ...
  4. Remove from heat, and stir in your choice of toppings.
Mar 14, 2013

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