QUINOA BREAKFAST BAKE

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS

1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
2 eggs
2 cups skim milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 cups frozen berries
1 apple or pear, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1        Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8x8 inch square baking pan, and set aside. (Note: a 9x11 works fine, too!)

2       In a medium bowl, stir together uncooked quinoa, cinnamon, and allspice to coat quinoa with spices. Pour quinoa over bottom of prepared pan.

3        In the same bowl used for the quinoa, beat the eggs until fully mixed. Whisk in the milk and maple syrup, and beat to combine.

4        Scatter the berries, apple or pear pieces, and nuts (if using) evenly on top of the quinoa.

5        Pour the egg and milk mixture over the top of the fruit and quinoa. Lightly stir to partially submerge the fruit. (The milk mixture will cook the quinoa to create a very soft texture on the inside, while creating a lightly crunchy crust on the outside!)

6        Bake for 1 hour, or until casserole is mostly set with only a small amount of liquid left. Serve warm, and refrigerate leftovers.