New Years Day Breakfast

Happy New Years to everyone reading this! Hope you all had a fun evening and are looking forward to the year ahead. Jason took me to The Creperie last night - a first for both of us. They take their gluten free foods very seriously there and I felt pretty relaxed eating there. I had my own bread basket with gluten free bread that they bake in-house! We were even able to share a sweet crepe for dessert.

Now on to this morning... I wanted to start off the New Year with something both healthy and delicious. This is the very first recipe in Quinoa 365:

(This photo was taken by Jason - he's got a new camera and was looking for subjects)

Apple Strudel Breakfast Cereal
1/4 slivered almonds
1cup quinoa
2 1/2cups water
1/2cup diced dried apple slices (You can find these at the Italian Market)
1/4cup raisins
1tsp ground cinnamon
1tsp pure vanilla extract
1tbsp brown sugar
1 cup vanilla yogurt (We used locally made Bles-Wold)

Place the almonds in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Stir frequently until the almonds are toasted and fragrant - about 3 to 4 minutes. Set the almonds aside in a small bowl.

Combine the quinoa, water, apples, raisins and cinnamon in the same saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer for 17 minutes. Stir in vanilla and brown sugar.

To serve: divide between bowls, top with yogurt and sprinkle with toasted almonds.

MY REVIEW: I used half the amount of water and quinoa listed and it made the perfect amount for the 2 of us. When looking at recipes you have to keep in mind quinoa triples in size when it's cooked.  This was such a great breakfast! Jason requested it again tomorrow so I know it was a hit. It doesn't sit as heavy in your belly as a bacon and egg meal but it left me feeling just as full.

JASON'S REVIEW: It was a delicious way to start my day. Would eat again. A+ ... 5 stars ... 2 thumbs up.