Sweet, spicy, summery, crunchy, and chewy...all at the same time.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cooking Time:  15 Minutes
Yield:  4 Side Servings
Ingredients:
1 Cup Quinoa
½ Cup Diced, Dry Apricots
1 Large Orange
½ Tsp Sea Salt
1/8 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
½ Cup Walnuts, chopped and toasted
Small Handful of Parsley, chopped

Add dry quinoa to a medium-sized pot and turn heat to a high flame.  Let quinoa toast, stirring almost constantly, until it begins popping and gets aromatic.  This happens quickly.  Immediately pour 2 cups of water into the pot, let mixture come a simmer, and cover.  Turn heat down to low and let simmer for about 12 minutes, or until quinoa has absorbed all water. 

Meanwhile, place diced apricot in a small bowl.  Use a fine grater to get 1 teaspoon of zest from the orange, then set aside.   Cut orange in half and squeeze juice onto the apricots.  Stir in cayenne pepper.   Once quinoa is done, place it in a large bowl.  Stir in apricot and juice mixture.  Stir in walnuts, sea salt and parsley.  Serve.