Quinoa with Roasted Squash, Dried Cranberries & Pepitas

 Alarm Clocks.

...Because everyday should start with a mini heart attack. 

Well maybe not every day. There are some days when it's like I have an internal alarm clock that wakes me up before the real one goes off. Is there anybody else that does this? 

Anyway, today I don't mind waking up to the sound of my blaring alarm clock because I've got this to look forward to for dinner. 

A simple fall quinoa salad served up warm. The butternut squash roasts in the oven with olive oil and nutmeg for 25-30 minutes until it becomes tender and golden brown. While this is happening you cook up the quinoa and make the vinaigrette.

Done like dinner. You could serve this with a piece of fish or chicken. With steamed veggies on the side.

Brussels sprouts are calling my name...or just have it on it's own. After all quinoa is a superfood of nutrition with ample protein and a good dose of fibre. Trust me you need this recipe in your life.

To toast the pepitas/ pumpkin seeds, add them to a shallow pan or skillet and place on medium heat. There is no butter or oil needed. Cook, tossing frequently, until the pepitas have taken on a nice toasted brown look. They will make popping sounds as they toast. Becareful sometimes you get the odd few that like to jump out of the pan at you. 

Squash. Check.

Dried cranberries + toasted pumpkin seeds. Double Check.

Maple Vinaigrette. Check.

Fluffy good for you quinoa. Check.

Happy Fall everybody!

Quinoa with Roasted Squash, Dried Cranberries & Pepitas  // vegan & gluten free (serves 4)

Print or email this recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 cups peeled, cored and diced butternut squash
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup toasted pepitas or pumpkin seeds

For the Vinaigrette:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon water
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• pinch salt + pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400*. Place butternut squash on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with nutmeg. Toss until squash is well coated. Roast the squash for 30 minutes, stirring once, until tender.
2. While the butternut squash roasts cook the quinoa. In a medium pot, bring quinoa and water to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered until all the water has been absorbed; about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and fluff with a fork.
3. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, and toasted pepitas.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, cider vinegar, water, and maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Drizzle over quinoa salad. Toss until ingredients are well dressed.
5. Serve warm or chilled.

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

Well fall has finally arrived and the days have gotten noticeably cooler. As much as I love autumn it's still sad to say goodbye to summer. It's hard to believe that it is over.  *Le sigh*

On the other hand I kind of like the cooler temperatures for sleeping. It wasn't the best year in my garden for tomatoes; they had a slow start and took a long time ripening. The plants have finally fallen from the frost we had a few nights ago. Peppers were fantastic, even though they didn't grow very big.

It's that time of year again. Time to open my first can of pure pumpkin.... today we're talking about pancakes.

There are some recipes that you always come back to, and these pumpkin spice pancakes are one of them.

Pancakes don't happen nearly as often as I'd like in our house, but when they do it's magical. After-all, breakfast is my favourite meal of the day.

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes serves 2-3 (6 pancakes)

Print or email this recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (I used pure canned)
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted (or melted butter)
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 cup 2% milk

Directions:

1.  Combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, egg, oil, maple syrup, and milk until very well blended.
3. With a rubber spatula, fold wet mixture into dry mixture. Add a touch more milk if the batter is too thick to pour.
4. Heat a skillet (or griddle) over medium heat. When skillet is hot, pour 1/4 cup of batter into the pan.
5. Cook 3 minutes until bubbles begin to form, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until cooked through.
6. Serve with maple syrup and cinnamon, or your favourite toppings. Maybe even a smear of maple cinnamon almond butter.