Breakfast Quinoa

Over the last few years, I have fallen in love with quinoa. It's my go to side dish, or base for quick shrimp or ground turkey dishes. When saw a recipe for apples and cinnamon breakfast quiona I was beyond excited! I made a few tweaks to better fit my tastes and I am not even embarrassed to say that I eat this dish EVERY single work-day. Literally, every week I make a batch on Sunday and eat off it all week.

 Recipe:
1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed well
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon + more for sprinkling
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup  milk, per serving

Directions:
 Combine quinoa, water, cinnamon and vanilla in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and let cook for 15 minutes until quinoa can be fluffed with a fork.
*If eating immediately, divide cooked quinoa between four bowls then stir in apple sauce, raisins, and milk.
**If saving for work, I scoop out what looks to be one fifth of the quinoa, pour in the milk and microwave for one minute. Once heated, stir in apple sauce and raisins. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired. This time around I topped with a few apple chunks, but it's equally great with just raisins and apple sauce.

The Cake Boss!

 Working at the American Cancer Society has provided me many opportunities to get involved in some great charity work through fundraisers and events. Being the foodie that I am, I jumped on the opportunity to become a committee member at the American Cancer Society's Taste of Hope tasting event. On May 2nd, 82 Mercer was packed with amazing restaurants from all over NYC and surrounding areas.

My favorite, of course, was the 100th birthday cake from Carlos Bake Shop in Hoboken, NJ.... you know THE cake boss, as in Buddy Valastro from TLC. Yes, that guy!! His team created an amazing four tier cake to commemorate the American Cancer Society's 100th birthday. It was absolutely beautiful.

Ashley and I after a successful haul into our office.

While I wasn't able to enjoy a slice, I did pick off a few pieces of the fondant confetti as my co-worker and I transported it back to our office after the event. And by transport, I mean we hauled the 75 pound cake into the back seat of someones car. I held onto that cake for dear life as we turned corners and hit every pothole NYC has to offer. I can happily say we made it safely back to the office and were able to share it with our residents at Hope Lodge. What a treat!