Tim Who?!

I decided to try making timbales.. which is a french dish.. named after the type of pan they use to make them in. Typically a proper timbale is narrower at the bottom, but as you can see... mine are not. The neat thing about timbales?! They can be made with just about any grain and complementing ingredients! So I made Quinoa Amaranth Timbales... lots of protein for me and my little one : )

• Zest and juice of 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 1/2 a small onion, finely diced
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup amaranth
• 1/2 cup quinoa, well rinsed and drained in a small strainer
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 5 dried apricot halves, finely diced

**Zest the orange and set zest aside. Juice the orange into a larger liquid measuring device, then add about 1 and 1/4 cup of water to that. Set aside.

*** Heat the oil in a small saucepan. Saute onion until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the cumin and cook for about 30 seconds.. until it becomes fragrant. Add the orange juice mixture and salt and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and slowly add the amaranth, whisking constantly. Add the quinoa and cinnamon and whisk to combine.

** Return the pan to the heat. When the water boils, turn the heat to low, cover, and let it cook on low for about 25 minutes... until all of the liquid has been absorbed. When the grains are done, stir in the dried apricot and orange zest. Stir briskly until well incorporated.

*** Spray your molds with nonstick spray. :: I used mini cake pans.. you can use anything and the food will take its form.. I am going to try cookie cutters next time .. you can use very small rubbermaids, dressing containers, teacups, etc. Pack the quinoa mixture firmly into the mold. Then IMMEDIATELY turn it out onto a serving dish or container, tapping on the bottom to help it release... you can serve immediately or save for later in the refidgerater!!