Quinoa Pudding with Caramelized Apples and Honey
This is a dessert that is truly good for you. Quinoa is a grain-like seed grown in South America that has a high protein content and contains iron and calcium. You can make this dessert sugar-free by omitting the brown and white sugars.
1 cup (180g) quinoa, rinsed
½ teaspoon cinnamon, divided
¼ cup (55g) light brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons light brown sugar, packed
2 red apples, peeled and cut into ½ -inch (1.25-cm) cubes
1/3 cup (40g) sliced almonds or other nuts, toasted at 325°F (160°C) for 20 minutes
1/3 cup (50g) raisins or pomegranate seeds, optional
PLACE QUINOA, water, 1/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon and light brown sugar into a small heavy-bottomed saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and cook covered for 20 minutes, or until most of the water has been absorbed, except for about ½ inch of water at the bottom of the saucepan. If all the water is gone, the pudding will be too dry and you will need to add more honey to moisten it. Stir. Let the quinoa sit covered for 5 minutes.
WHILE THE QUINOA IS COOKING, heat the oil over medium-high heat in a medium frying pan. Add the sugar, brown sugar, apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg and cook for 4 minutes, until just fork-tender.
AFTER THE QUINOA HAS SAT for five minutes, add the remaining ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and honey and whisk in. Let the quinoa sit for another 5 minutes,
TO SERVE, divide warm or room temperature quinoa into six bowls and top with about ¼ cup of the apples. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons toasted nuts over each pudding and add the raisins or pomegranate seeds, if desired. May be made three days in advance and stored covered in the fridge.
Recipe from the Holiday Kosher Baker by Paula Shoyer (2013, Sterling Publishing)