Pumpkin & Apple Breakfast Quinoa

Here's a delicious fall recipe that I made for breakfast the other day.  Packed with flavor and nutrients, but low on WW points, this is a definite crowd pleaser!  Here's how Mama makes it:

Pumpkin & Apple Breakfast Quinoa

Ingredients:
- 1 c. uncooked quinoa

- 2 sprays cooking spray

- 1 T. salted butter, divided

- 2 medium apples, chopped or diced
- 1/3 c. dried cranberries

- 2 c. cold water
- 1 c. canned pumpkin (not the pie filling)

- 1/2 t. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice

- 3 T. packed brown sugar

- 1/4 c. skim milk

- 1/4 c. chopped pecans, for garnish

Directions:

1.  Soak quinoa in a bowl of water for 5 minutes.  I found that an easy way to do this is to set a strainer over a bowl, fill with water so that all the grains are covered.  After the 5 minutes, simply lift out the strainer.  Meanwhile, chop the apples (I decided to leave the skins on this time).





2.  Coat a large skillet or saucepan with cooking spray, and set over medium-high heat.  Melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter, then add apples and cranberries and cook until soft and beginning to caramelize, about 5-10 minutes.  Set apple mixture aside.

3.  Rinse and drain quinoa.  Add quinoa and 2 cups cold water to a medium saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat; boil for 1 minute.  Reduce heat to low, cover pan and allow quinoa to simmer for 10 minutes.  When quinoa is cooked and most of the water has been absorbed, remove from heat and fluff with fork.

4.  Add remaining 1/2 T. butter, pumpkin, spices, sugar, and milk;  stir to combine.

5.  Add apples and cranberries and fold to combine.

6.  Serve warm topped with chopped pecans.  (about 6 points per 2/3 c. serving)

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