Spiced Peaches & Cream Quinoa Porridge

A couple of weeks ago, Brad and I found ourselves faced with a childless weekend. This is a foreign idea to me these days. Weekends are typically filled with tasks that don't vary from the rest of the week; cooking, dishes, playing Star Wars, cooking, dishes, playing Star Wars... You get the idea. We took advantage of our 36 free hours to work on some projects around the house, go see a movie, and head to brunch.

It was strange. And wonderful. And strange.

We visited a popular brunch spot in this region of the country called Snooze A.M. Eatery. Their pancakes are to die for and their eggs benedict makes me teary. But on this particular day, I decided to go in a new direction and try their quinoa porridge. It was perfection: warm, flavorful, studded with fresh peaches, and comforting without being heavy. That, plus a latte, made me oh so happy. And I know that when my Palisade peaches arrived, I would have to recreate the dish.

Can we discuss Colorado peaches for a second? Every area of the world has a food that cannot be beat anywhere else. For example: Japan + sushi. France + croissants. Argentina + malbec (not food but WHATEVS). Well, I've been racking my brain for FOUR YEARS trying to decide what Colorado's food is, and it isn't green chiles. It is peaches. To be clear, I love green chiles, but Colorado does not blow the competition out of the water with that one.

Peaches all the way.

If you aren't in Colorado and don't have access to truly delicious peaches, I have good news! You can make this perfectly wonderful breakfast with just about any fruit. Bananas? Yep. Strawberries? Heck yes! Seriously. Just about anything. Play with the fruit, the nuts, the spices...find what makes your soul sing and go with it.

Spiced Peaches & Cream Quinoa Porridge

Makes 4 hearty servings

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 1/2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 peaches, peeled and diced
• pinch of kosher salt
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup pepitas, toasted
• fresh peach slices

1. Combine the quinoa, almond milk, spices and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until quinoa is tender. (note: there will still be plenty of liquid in the pan to achieve a porridge-like consistency. ALSO, keep a close eye on the quinoa as it cooks as the almond milk can easily bubble over!)
2. Stir the peaches and maple syrup into the cooked quinoa. Scoop into serving bowls and top with pepitas, fresh peach slices, and additional maple syrup if desired.