How to make the perfect quinoa?

1. Quinoa should be washed in at least two changes of water. Drain and transfer ½ cup of uncooked quinoa to a small pot.
2. Add ⅔ cup water, bring to boil, cover and simmer for 8 minutes on medium heat.
3. Switch off the heat source and allow the quinoa to rest for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
4. Allow to cool before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Tips and substitutions:

• Use water or another non-dairy milk. If you're looking for a thicker shake, use coconut milk or another high-fat non-dairy milk.
• Add fresh or frozen fruit. Fresh fruits like banana, strawberry, and blueberry are perfect for protein shakes.
• A high-quality blender or food processor will give your shake a smooth, creamy texture.
• Add ice cubes if you want a cold shake.
• If you're not a fan of hemp hearts, try chia seeds or walnuts. Besides peanut butter, almond butter or another type of nut butter also work well.
• You can also use vanilla yogurt in place of peanut butter if you want a creamier texture.
• If you have a nut allergy, sunflower seed butter is an excellent alternative that goes well with the strawberry flavour.
• Omit quinoa and use rolled oats instead. They'll also help thicken up the protein shake without adding too much sweetness!
• You can also top your banana protein shake with ground flax/chia seeds or hemp hearts for an extra boost. Coconut flakes and fresh berries add a hint of sweetness.
• If you want to reproduce your favourite vanilla protein powder taste profile, add a dash of vanilla. It will also bring additional natural sweetness!
• Add unsweetened cocoa powder to create a different version of this protein shake recipe. The chocolate deliciousness makes it feel like you're eating dessert!