We must admit that prior to reading Catherine Gill's tasty quinoa cookbook, we had tried eating quinoa plain and we cannot say that we had exactly been fans of this highly nutritious grain. Educational information, and lots of fabulous recipes in Catherine's cookbook provided us with more than enough reasons to give quinoa another chance and it turned our heads around in a positive manner. We learned that eating healthy could be delicious as well as nutritionally satisfying. 

For The Complete Quinoa Cookbook "perfect for vegan & plant-based diets," Catherine Gill, author of The Dirty Vegan Cookbook and The Complete Hummus Cookbook, begins with a preface that introduces the reader to quinoa; what it is, its history, the diverse types, nutritional informational, and more. Armed with knowledge about this culinary darling, the cookbook continues with tempting and creative recipes designed to inspire. 

Recipe chapters include Breakfast, Appetizers and Snacks, Lunch and Dinner, Side Dishes, and Desserts. There are wonderful recipes in each of the chapters that gradually introduce quinoa into your diet. A few of the tempting recipes in the Breakfast chapter include Quinoa Pancakes, and Chewy Almond Quinoa Granola Bars. 

In the Appetizers and Snacks chapter, Quinoa Veggie Burgers, Easy Quinoa Poutine, Pan-Fried Quinoa Cakes, and Homemade Quinoa Crackers, are a few of the many highlights. In the Lunch and Dinner chapter, a few of the highlights include Quinoa Crust Pizza, Gumbo with Quinoa, and Quinoa Baked Ziti Casserole. In the Side Dishes, tempting recipes include Elegant Quinoa Salad Stuffed Avocado, Teriyaki Quinoa Stir Fry Side, and Mini Quinoa Easter Pies. 

In the Desserts chapter, Catherine shines with her recipes that are a treat for the sweet lover. There are recipes for Quinoa & Oatmeal Cookies, Quinoa Pudding, Quinoa Pecan Pie, and Quinoa Fruit Tea Cake Loaf, to name but a few. 

The Complete Quinoa Cookbook by Catherine Gill and Hatherleigh Press graciously share a recipe for Quinoa Fruit Tea Cake Loaf (page 190 in the Dessert chapter of the cookbook) to tempt your palate. 

Quinoa Fruit Tea Cake Loaf
Serves: 8-10

"Yes, there is a fruit cake in this book. But given that this one is British and has tea in it, it's not exactly like the classic fruit cake that everyone gives a hard time. Note that if you are planning to serve this to people who are non-adults or are caffeine sensitive, use herbal tea or just plump up the dried fruit using boiled water. When I make this in the morning for overnight guests, I always soak my dried fruits in water so that everyone can enjoy it (and you can always serve the cake loaf slices alongside a cup of English tea - it's quite the pairing!" 

Ingredients:
 

Method: Preheat the oven to 35o degrees Fahrenheit and grease a loaf pan. Soak dried fruit in tea while preparing the rest of the recipe. In a medium-sized saucepan on medium heat, heat olive oil and add quinoa. Stir quinoa frequently until add quinoa has popped and transfer to a large mixing bowl; combine fruit and tea mixture, sugar, jam, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and water. Transfer batter to greased loaf pan and bake for 60 minutes or until cake tester comes out cleanly. Allow to cool for 20-30 minutes before removing from pan. 

Tip from Catherine Gill: "You will like this one, trust me. Just serve it buttered like you would serve a slice of pumpkin loaf. I like to use California raisins, golden raisins, and dried cranberries in mine, but the possibilities are endless with the number of delicious, dried fruits available." 

Eating well can still be delicious! Happy cooking! 

The Complete Quinoa Cookbook by Catherine Gill was published by Hatherleigh Press and distributed by Penguin Random House, LLC. 

Websites where you purchase The Complete Quinoa Cookbook by Catherine Gill: Hatherleigh Press and Amazon 

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