Hearty Quinoa with Sauteed Apples and Almonds

Transform your breakfast or brunch routine with this **Hearty Quinoa with Sautéed Apples and Almonds**, a delightful blend of warm spices, nutty crunch, and natural sweetness. This nutritious recipe combines fluffy quinoa, cooked to perfection, with caramelized apples infused with cinnamon, a hint of vanilla, and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. The addition of toasted almonds and optional dried cranberries or raisins elevates both texture and flavor, creating a satisfying dish that's perfect for chilly mornings. Ready in just 30 minutes, this versatile recipe works equally well as a wholesome breakfast, a comforting snack, or a light dessert. Packed with protein and autumnal flavors, this dish is as nourishing as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 2 medium apple
• 2 tablespoons butter or coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• 0.25 cups sliced almonds
• 0.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 0.25 cups raisins or dried cranberries (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water using a fine mesh sieve to remove any bitterness.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rinsed quinoa and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer the quinoa for about 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.

Step 4

While the quinoa is cooking, core and dice the apples into small bite-sized pieces. Optionally, you may peel the apples if desired.

Step 5

In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter or coconut oil over medium heat.

Step 6

Add the diced apples to the skillet and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Stir to coat the apples evenly.

Step 7

Cook the apples for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and start to caramelize slightly.

Step 8

Drizzle 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup over the apples and stir well. Add 1/4 cup of sliced almonds to the skillet and cook for an additional 2 minutes, toasting the almonds lightly.

Step 9

Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and, if desired, 1/4 cup of raisins or dried cranberries.

Step 10

Once the quinoa is fully cooked, fluff it with a fork and transfer it to a serving dish.

Step 11

Top the quinoa with the sauteed apple and almond mixture, spreading it evenly across the dish.

Step 12

Serve warm and enjoy this hearty, flavorful meal!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1158.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1384.4

Total Fat 52.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 62mg	0%
Sodium 1799.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 201.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.1g	0%
Total Sugars 91.7g
Protein 32.5g	0%

Vitamin D 18IU	0%
Calcium 220.9mg	0%
Iron 7.2mg	0%
Potassium 1109.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.6%

Protein: 9.2%

Carbs: 57.2%