Cinnamon Maple Quinoa with Roasted Apples, Dried Fruit and Toasted Almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel, core and chop the apples into 1/4-inch pieces and place on a cookie sheet.Drizzle with 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle a pinch of salt over the apples. Mix them with your hands until the apples are coated with oil. Roast them in the oven for 20-25 minutes. They’re done when they’re barely tender and the edges have begun to brown. Remove from oven and add to a large bowl with the dried cranberries and apricots. Toast the almonds in small saucepan over low-medium heat until fragrant and very light brown. Spread on a paper towel on the counter to cool. Make the quinoa: rinse and drain the quinoa. Toast the quinoa in a dry, medium saucepan, over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, until you begin to hear popping sounds and the nutty aroma is release. Add the water, cinnamon stick, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons of maple syrup and 1 Tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down, simmering until the water has been absorbed; about 20 minutes. When the quinoa has finished cooking, remove the cinnamon stick and add the quinoa to the bowl with the fruit, stirring with a rubber spatula. Add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of olive oil and taste for seasoning (you may opt to add 1 more teaspoon of maple syrup). Serve in a bowl and top the quinoa mixture with the toasted almonds.