Apple-Quinoa Muffin

3 cup diced apples (about 2 medium sized apples)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup water (or milk)
1/4 cup dark rum

Simmer the apple cubes with the water, sugar, cinnamon, and rum until the apple is cooked and almost all the liquid is evaporated. Allow to cool to room temperature.

1 1/3 cup cooked quinoa

Quinoa has a natural bitter coating called saponin. If you are buying quinoa in bulk, you will need to soak it for a few minutes and then rinse it in cold clear water until the “soapy” residue is gone. Some boxed brands may be pre-rinsed, but they still retain the nutritional goodness.

Place 1 cup quinoa in a saucepan. Add 2 cups fresh water. Cover and cook on a low simmer until all the water is evaporated and the quinoa is tender- roughly 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and dump it into a large bowl. You will end up with extra quinoa, but you can use it for breakfast or any other meal.

4 large eggs
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp butter
1 cup sugar
1 3/4 cup rice flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line 12 muffin cups with paper liners

Whisk the egg and sugar and add the melted butter. Stir well. Add the cooked quinoa, mix well, and then add the flour, baking powder and salt and mix well. Add the vanilla and stir well. Fold in the apple mixture, fill cupcake liners about so that they are all about 3/4 full.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the tops bounce back when you touch them.


Penuche Frosting Recipe

1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup milk
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

In a saucepan, melt butter. Add the brown sugar. Bring to a boil and lower heat to medium low and continue to boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cool to lukewarm. Gradually add sifted confectioners' sugar. (I would highly recommend sifting this confectioners' sugar. It's such a pain to sift, but it ensures that the frosting will be extra smooth.) Beat until thick enough to spread. If too thick, add a little hot water.


This recipe is also linked to...

Everyday Sisters' Sharing Sundays: Apples
Gluten-Free Wednesdays
This Week's Cravings: Apples
It's a Blog Party's Fall Fest Apple Recipes 2011