Pumpkin Quinoa Pudding Nouveau

Here is a recipe I created using two "healthy" ingredients that are trending right now. And they are very healthy...but so are lots of foods. There is enough sugar and cream that this dish won't taste too healthy but not enough to make it too unhealthy either. Hope you enjoy-(and remember to exercise.)

Pumpkin Quinoa Pudding
1 cup quinoa
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup raw sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ginger root, freshly grated or 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 1/2 cups milk (I use 2%)
1 cup heavy cream, divided
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
nutmeg for garnish
Rinse quinoa in a fine mesh strainer under running water for 1 minute. Place in large sauce pan. Add pumpkin, raw sugar, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, milk and 1/2 cup of the cream. Mix together with a wire whip and place on medium high heat. Bring to a boil and immediately turn down heat to maintain a slow simmer. Simmer for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally at first and then more frequently as mixture thickens. When desired consistency is reached, remove from heat and allow to cool 15 minutes or more then spoon pudding into 6 to 10 dessert dishes (depending on capacity). Serve warm or chilled. To serve, whip remaining 1/2 cup cream to soft peaks, whip in sugar and extract. Top each serving of pudding with a dollop of whipped cream and nutmeg.

Hints: I used canned pumpkin puree but fresh would be fabulous, especially if you roasted the pumpkin rather than boiled it. The 1/2 cup of raw sugar is really enough and if you want to serve this as a brunch or breakfast dish, you could decrease the sugar to 1/3 cup. Add more milk if the pudding gets too thick while cooking. Adjust the spices as you desire, the amounts I have yields a pumpkin pie type flavor.

All things pumpkin are in vogue this time of year, however, I like pumpkin all the time. Try out  Pumpkin Goulash, or Pumpkin Soup, or Pumpkin Hazelnut Bread, or Pumpkin Gnocchi. Pumpkin is a great source of Vitamin A, B, C and E, has loads of anti-oxidiants, along with fiber and some minerals. Quinoa has relatively high protein levels and packs some good fat and minerals as well. Eating well is fun!