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Justine Doiron

just real good food

Baking + Sweet, Breakfast, Granola, Recipes, Special Diets, Vegetarian · October 20, 2022

Seared Plums & Cinnamon Quinoa

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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
  • How to prepare the seared plums
  • How to finish this recipe in the oven
  • Looking for other sweet fall recipes?

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!

Pumpkin Blueberry Muffins
You don't always think of pumpkin and blueberry as a pairing, but these Pumpkin Blueberry Muffins prove that the combination is perfect. Plus, this recipe uses the full can of pumpkin, so you won't have any awkward leftovers after making this fall season bake.
Check out this recipe
Beet Cake
Don't let the name fool you, this moist, vibrant, flavorful cake reminds me of carrot cake, but with a seasonal fall twist. Add in some classic cream cheese frosting and this one-bowl baking recipe will be something you'll want to make again and again.
Check out this recipe

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

This was designed as a breakfast recipe, but it quickly turned into a breakfast-or-dessert recipe. Or an anytime-you-feel-like something delicious recipe. These jammy plums and baked quinoa marry together in a perfect, subtly sweet and wholesomely delicious recipe. Pair with vanilla yogurt and it's heaven.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time:15 minutes mins
Cook Time:30 minutes mins
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cinnamon, plums, quinoa
Servings: 4 servings

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 🙂

Posted In: Baking + Sweet, Breakfast, Granola, Recipes, Special Diets, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hallie says

    October 24, 2022 at 3:28 am

    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?

    • Justine says

      October 28, 2022 at 11:16 am

      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!

  2. Angela says

    November 3, 2022 at 6:53 am

    Is there any that I can substitute from plum?

    • Justine says

      November 5, 2022 at 11:30 am

      Apple or pear would be a great sub!

  3. Anna says

    November 6, 2022 at 3:46 pm

    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. 👏👏👏

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Hey! I'm Justine. A recipe developer, highly dedicated eater, and bread enthusiast with an archive of both savory and sweet. This is where I store all my recipes, feel free to take a look around!
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P.S. If you’re looking for more gut-friendly substitutions with this recipe, you can swap the crème fraiche for yogurt. 

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