I don’t tend to make desserts all that often but in the summer it’s hard to resist using some of all of the fresh fruits and berries in a few sweet treats! One of my favourite things to make has to be crisps or crumbles and they also happen to be one of the easiest things to make! A crisp is as easy to make as throwing some fruit or berries into a pan, topping them with a simple mixture of flour, butter and sugar and baking until bubbling and golden brown!
Not too long ago I discovered that if you bake cooked quinoa that it gets all nice and crispy and that led me to wonder how it would work as the topping in a crisp or crumble and I just had to try it out! Blueberries are everywhere these days and thus a blueberry crisp was just the thing to try out the quinoa topping on. As you can see the recipe is pretty much a basic crisp recipe with quinoa in the crust and an almond theme including almond slices in the topping and a splash of amaretto in the filling. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at just how well the quinoa topping worked in the crisp! The topping crisped up nicely and the quinoa added an amazing texture to the crisp! This is not your regular crisp or crumble topping but it is definitely fabulous in it’s own way!
Of course scoop of vanilla ice cream is the perfect topping for any crisp!
Blueberry Almond and Amaretto Quinoa Crisp
A blueberry crisp with a quinoa and almond crust and a splash of amaretto in the filling.
ingredients
- 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 3/4 cup water
- 6 cups blueberries
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons amaretto (optional)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (~1/2 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/4 cup almond flour (or flour or rice flour etc)
- 1/4 cup almond slices
directions
- Bring the water and quinoa to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the quinoa is tender and has absorbed the water, about 15 minutes, remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes, covered.
- Mix the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, amaretto, lemon juice and vanilla and place in an 8×8 inch baking dish (or a number of smaller dishes).
- Mix the quinoa, brown sugar, butter, flour and almond slices and crumble on top of the blueberries.
- Bake in a preheated 350F/180C oven until it is bubbling and the top is golden brown, about 30-45 minutes.
Option: Add some crumbled amaretti cookies to the topping!
How fun to use qunioa in this dessert!
The perfect breakfast!
This is so pretty, i cannot get over these colors!!
I've never had a sweet quinoa but this might be on the menu this weekend!
Kevin, these are seriously pretty! I love that you put quinoa in the topping!
Love the amaretto in here! Yum!
I'll bet the amaretto adds just the right punch of flavor…
You always have a way to make me drool… this recipe looks amazing Kevin and I love that you use quinoa in a dessert.
dessert YES, but I'd eat it for breakfast!! amazing
This looks amazing, I have just recently started eating Quinoa and I think there are so many great and creative ways to use this in our food. Great job, and can't wait to try this at home.
I love your idea of quinoa in desserts. Less guilt! 🙂
The crisp looks lovely but you appear to have knocked over a tub of blueberries in the background?
This is making me drool.
Looks so yummy!!
Thoughmytastes*
Wow! I will try this soon…
Love Quinoa.
beautiful photography!
You so rarely see quinoa in a sweet dish. LOVE THIS!
great post! Long life to this blog
love all about this post, thanks!!!!
Now these are heavenly & such a pretty color!!
I love the amaretto infusion in this! Such a nice added touch!
This looks incredible, I have to try it and I love that quinoa is in the recipe along with amaretto! I would have never thought to use quinoa in desserts!
Amaretto, too? Swoon…
This is wonderful. I used a mix of frozen berries and it was delightful.