Spiced Quinoa pudding with baked pears

For 4-6 servings

INGREDIENTS

For the Spiced Pudding

• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 cloves
• 3 cardamom pods (cracked open)
• ¾ cup of GoGo Quinoa’s Royal Red Quinoa  rinsed and drained
• 1 ¼ cups almond milk
• 1 ¾ cups coconut milk
• 1 41 gram package of pure creamed coconut (optional but it makes pudding extra rich and creamy)
• ¼ cup coconut sugar, dark brown sugar, alternatively maple syrup (plus more according to taste)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Pinch salt
• ¼ tsp lime zest

For the Baked Pears

• 2 large ripe pears
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cardamom
• ¼ tsp ground Nutmeg
• 2 tsp honey
• ¼ cup crushed walnuts

INSTRUCTIONS

For the Spiced Pudding

1. Lightly toast cloves, cracked cardamom pods, and cinnamon sticks (broken in half) in the medium saucepan for one minute on medium heat until spices are very fragrant.
2. Add the almond milk, coconut milk, coconut sugar or maple syrup, coconut cream, vanilla extract and salt.
3. Bring to a boil and then add in the quinoa and stir gently then reduce heat to medium low and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened and the quinoa is very tender, 15-20 minutes.
4. Stir through the lime zest and transfer the pudding to one bowl or individual ones and serve warm or refrigerate covered and serve cold. If serving cold you may need to stir in a little extra almond milk before serving if it’s too thick.

For the Baked Pears:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Cut the pears in half and place on a baking sheet (I cut a sliver off the other end so they sit upright in pan).
3. Using a measuring spoon or melon baller, scoop out the seeds.
4. Combine the spices together in a small bowl and sprinkle over the pears.
5. Top them with walnuts and drizzle ½ tsp honey over each one.
6. Bake in the oven 30 minutes.
7. Remove, let cool and enjoy with the spiced pudding or any way you like them.