This recipe might be a bit of an adventure for breakfast, but these seared plums are just GOOD, really really good. I could inhale a whole bowl of these juicy, sweet plum halves, but even with how good they are, the cinnamon quinoa makes sure that they balance perfectly with whatever breakfast (or dessert!) you’re having.
Since these plums are vanilla-spiced, I always recommend serving them with a vanilla yogurt, it makes the whole recipe rich, creamy and a perfectly balanced meal. If you’re in the mood for a long weekend brunch or a meal-prepped breakfast, this recipe is it.
Table of contents
Ingredients for this seared plum recipe
This recipe is packed with wholesome ingredients and fall flavors. Here is everything you’ll need for this particular recipe:
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 4 small plums
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme, stems removed
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar or honey
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp each of all spice, nutmeg and ginger
- 1 cup vanilla bean yogurt
- Olive oil and kosher salt, as needed
How to prepare the seared plums
The searing of the plums is the easy (and fun!) part. Just first mix the plums in the vanilla, vinegar, thyme and sugar with a pinch of salt. After that, sear them in batches on a cast iron, face down, until they start to brown and char. Do this on both sides and then set them aside for the good part!
How to finish this recipe in the oven
Now you use the cast iron first for searing, but the rest happens in the oven. Once the plums are done, place the plums in a separate bowl and wipe the cast iron out. Mix the cinnamon, all spice and nutmeg into the quinoa with a pinch of salt. Then evenly pour the quinoa into the cast iron pan.
Spread the plums on top of the quinoa and sprinkle the remaining 1 tbsp of granulated sugar on top. Bake this at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until the plums are very jammy and the quinoa has slightly crisped on top.
To serve, add a generous scoop of vanilla yogurt or skyr to each bowl, then a scoop of the quinoa and two plum halves. Serve immediately!
Looking for other sweet fall recipes?
Here are a few ideas that are fan-favorites here on the site!
And that’s everything for this seared plum and baked quinoa recipe!
If you make it, please tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see! It’s my favorite thing to scroll through stories and see what you all are making.
And of course feel free to leave any questions, comments or reviews! This is the best place to reach me, and I’d love to hear from you <3
Seared Plums & Cinnamon Quinoa
Equipment
- 1 chef's knife
- 1 cast iron pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 4 small plums
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme stems removed
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar or honey
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp each of all spice, nutmeg and ginger
- 1 cup vanilla bean yogurt
- Olive oil and kosher salt as needed
Instructions
- Begin by cooking your quinoa according to package instructions. I like to cook mine in a rice cooker with a 1:2 ratio of quinoa to water. Set this aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Slice all the plums in half and remove the pits. In a large bowl, toss them with the vanilla, red wine vinegar, thyme leaves, and 1 tbsp of the granulated sugar. The plums should start to release their natural juices, this is a good thing!
- Put a cast iron pan on medium heat. Sear the plums face down for 2 minutes or until slightly charred, flip and sear another 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Place the plums in a separate bowl and wipe the cast iron out.
- Mix the cinnamon, all spice and nutmeg into the quinoa with a pinch of salt. Then evenly pour the quinoa into the cast iron pan.
- Spread the plums on top of the quinoa and sprinkle the remaining 1 tbsp of granulated sugar on top. Bake this at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until the plums are very jammy and the quinoa has slightly crisped on top.
- To serve, add a generous scoop of vanilla yogurt or skyr to each bowl, then a scoop of the quinoa and two plum halves. Serve immediately 🙂
This sounds delicious, butt the I’m confused that there’s no water added to the quinoa before putting it in the oven. What does it cook in?
Hi there! In the first step of the instructions it directs you to cook your quinoa according to package instructions, I share my favorite quinoa to water ratio there!
Is there any that I can substitute from plum?
Apple or pear would be a great sub!
Hello! Just finished eating this lovely dish for Sunday brunch today. Can you please advise the best way to eat any leftovers? Thanks Justine for yet another creative and yummy recipe that was easy to follow. 👏👏👏