Hot Quinoa Cereal with Maple Syrup Apples

Ingredients

• 2 cups diced Granny Smith apple
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash of ground cloves
• 2 cups water
• 2/3 cup quinoa flakes
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

1. 1. Combine apple and 1/4 cup water in a small skillet; bring to a boil. Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 4 minutes or just until crisp-tender. Remove from heat; uncover and let stand.
2. 2. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat; stir in quinoa flakes and salt. Cook 1 1/2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in sugar, and let stand 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
3. 3. While cereal stands, return apple mixture to medium heat; add syrup, butter, and vanilla, stirring just until butter melts. Serve apple mixture over cereal.