Some people like this sort of thing:  a not too sweet cookie that has enough food in it that it could possibly substitute for your mid-morning handful of almonds.  When I read the process for this cookie, I was intrigued.  There is the mixing of baking soda with hot water, the addition of completely raw quinoa, plus it uses all of the dried fruits I have in my pantry:  raisins, dates, apricots, and unsweetened coconut.  I had to see what it was like.  It is a soft cookie.  You can really use any combination of dried fruit you like.  The quinoa softens a little, but not so much.  It remains crunchy, which is nice next to all that chewy fruit.  Finally, it is held together by the buttery golden syrup batter.  I thought they were nice and they packed a little protein, too.

from Ripe Recipes:  A Fresh Batch

Quinoa Fruit Cookies

Makes 35-40

• 1 cup (100 g) quick cook rolled oats
• 1 cup (150 g) whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup (80 g) soft brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup (100 g) quinoa, uncooked
• 1/2 cup (50 g) desiccated coconut
• 1 cup (140 g) raisins
• 2/3 cup (100 g) dried dates, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup (40 g) dried apricots, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 180 g unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons golden syrup or molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease and line 2 baking trays with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, sugar, spices, uncooked quinoa, coconut, and dried fruit.

In a medium-sized bowl, dissolve the baking soda with 2 tablespoons hot water.  Whisk in the melted butter, the golden syrup, and vanilla.

Pour the golden syrup mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well to combine.  Place heaped tablespoons of the biscuit mixture on to the prepared baking trays.  Allow plenty of room for the biscuits to spread.  Flatten lightly with the back of a fork.

Place in the oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until the cookies are golden.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool a little before transferring them on to a wire rack.