Meal and a Movie: Muppet Christmas Carol

Photo credit: muppet.wikia.com

Whenever I watch a Muppet show (which is more often than you might guess) I think about one of my favorite nephews who reminds me of one of my favorite Muppets. Beaker is smart and musical, is as cute as he is humble, and has a high head of luxurious hair. And when he sings Christmas carols, you can feel his passion.

We enjoy an annual viewing of The Muppet Christmas Carol (the best of any Dickens renditions) with our daughter S. Typically we dine on a meal the includes Swedish meatballs and other julbord delights, but I wanted to suggest something more Muppet appropriate for your Muppet Christmas Carol night. Sure you can serve a Christmas goose with all the trimmings. Or perhaps some Scroogey gruel is more your style. Maybe Miss Piggy inspires a Christmas ham. Better still, try this super quick, easy, and relatively healthy modern figgy pudding.

This updated version of figgy pudding includes quick-cooking quinoa (give it a good rinse in cold water even if the package says it is prewashed), and is tasty as a side dish, dessert, or heated up for a healthy leftover version of breakfast. You can also serve it to any carolers or bahumbugs who come to the door as it warms even the coldest body and soul.

During this final week of holiday festivities, take some wise advice from Rizzo the Rat's mother: never eat singing food.

Figgy Quinoa Pudding

Makes 6 generous servings
14 ounce can coconut milk
3/4 cup quick cook quinoa
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or one split pod)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup dried figs, quartered (about 12 Mission)
Nutmeg
Coconut or soy milk and berries, or lime zest and juice and coconut flakes for garnish

Bring milk, quinoa, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and figs to boil in medium saucepan. Cover and reduce heat to simmer. Cook until quinoa is tender and has soaked up coconut milk; about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm with nutmeg and garnish.