Fall

Cinnamon Maple Quinoa with Roasted Apples, Dried Fruit and Toasted Almonds

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August 19, 2013
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Cinnamon Maple Quinoa with Roasted Apples, Dried Fruit and Toasted Almonds
  • Serves 3
Author Notes

My husband Matthew, who works out several times a week, is always interested in new protein-centric dishes for breakfast. And, while both he and our daughter often warm up savory leftovers for breakfast, I wanted to make a sweet dish that Matthew could enjoy after one of his intense morning workouts. This breakfast quinoa dish, which is nutty, sweet, crunchy and comforting, packs a protein punch for breakfast. —Carol Sacks

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 apples (I like Fujis or Pink Ladies; a granny smith would work here, too)
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4-3/8 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2-3 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2-3 teaspoons Maple syrup; Grade B is best
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Peel, core and chop the apples into 1/4-inch pieces and place on a cookie sheet.Drizzle with 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle a pinch of salt over the apples. Mix them with your hands until the apples are coated with oil.
  3. Roast them in the oven for 20-25 minutes. They’re done when they’re barely tender and the edges have begun to brown.
  4. Remove from oven and add to a large bowl with the dried cranberries and apricots.
  5. Toast the almonds in small saucepan over low-medium heat until fragrant and very light brown. Spread on a paper towel on the counter to cool.
  6. Make the quinoa: rinse and drain the quinoa. Toast the quinoa in a dry, medium saucepan, over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, until you begin to hear popping sounds and the nutty aroma is release. Add the water, cinnamon stick, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons of maple syrup and 1 Tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down, simmering until the water has been absorbed; about 20 minutes.
  7. When the quinoa has finished cooking, remove the cinnamon stick and add the quinoa to the bowl with the fruit, stirring with a rubber spatula.
  8. Add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and taste for seasoning (you may opt to add 1 more teaspoon of maple syrup). Serve in a bowl and top the quinoa mixture with the toasted almonds.
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