Popeyes' Monkey

Yep, it's quinoa pudding. Like rice pudding, but without refined sugar and the insulin bomb from white rice. Instead, it's an ancient grain of the gods- it's like a protein dessert. So you can high-five yourself while you eat it, or just show yer musckles!

1/2 C. pureed banana
1 C. cooked quinoa
1 C. whole milk (or coconut milk which I prefer)
1/2 C. heavy cream (once again, coconut cream is awesome!)
1/4 tsp. (if you're like me, a heavy one) ground cardamom
1/3 C. chopped, unsalted pistachios

In a large nonstick pan over medium heat, combine cooked rice and milk. Heat until the mixture begins to boil. Decrease the heat to low and cook at simmer, until the mixture begins to thicken, stirring frequently. Approximately 5 minutes.

Increase the heat to medium, add heavy cream, coconut milk, bananas and cardamom and continue to cook until the mixture just begins to thicken again- approx. 5-10 minutes. Use whisk to help prevent the cardamom from clumping. Once the mixture begins to thicken, remove from heat and add pistachios. Transfer mixture to a glass bowl, place plastic wrap directly on the surface (to keep that eery skin/film thing from forming). Cool in refrigerator for an hour. Serve in cutesy little ramekins by a cozy fire (for smokier flavor). Or, on a picnic blanket by the sea (the salt really adds dimension).