Walnut Cinnamon Quinoa

Kids love delicate, heart-healthy grain quinoa, especially when it takes on the familiar flavors of honey and cinnamon. Soaking the quinoa in warm water with yogurt makes it irresistibly fluffy, but if you don’t have time, simply cook the quinoa according to package directions and top each serving with the walnuts, cinnamon and honey.This recipe comes to us from Kristi Arnold, The Veggie Converter.

Cooking Tip of the Week: Rinsing your quinoa before cooking it will help wash away some of its bitter flavor.
Food for Thought: Did you know cinnamon grows on a tree? It’s true! Actually, cinnamon grows in a tree, it is the inner bark of trees in the Cinnamomum family. Most cinnamon is grown in Indonesia, China, India and Vietnam.
Family Dinner Conversation Starter: What are you most looking forward to doing with your family this year?

Ingredients:

• 2 cups quinoa
• 2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons whole yogurt or dairy-free yogurt
• 2 cups cold water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped, divided
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, divided
• honey or maple syrup, to taste

Directions:

Together: Place the quinoa, warm water and yogurt together in a large glass bowl. Stir, cover and place in a warm area of your house for 12-24 hours.

Together: When the quinoa has finished soaking, strain in a fine meshed sieve and rinse until the water runs clear, taking care to move the quinoa with your hands to ensure all the quinoa is rinsed.

Adult: Transfer the quinoa to a medium pot with the remaining 2 cups water and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When water boils, turn head down to low, cover and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed. Let cool for 5 minutes.

Together: Transfer the quinoa to 4 bowls. Divide the walnuts between the bowls. Season each with equal amounts of the cinnamon and honey to taste. Enjoy!