Healthy vegan version of rice pudding (Coconut, Cinnamon and Date Bulgar and Quinoa pudding)

As a kid rice pudding was the most comforting thing. We didn't have it often and it wasn't always home made but it was still the BEST THING EVER to me. I mean it was creamy sweet cabs, what more do you want at the age of 5? However, rice pudding is really not healthy, unless you count the health benefits from the raisins you sometimes get in it. SO I have been looking for a healthy substitute to satisfy my inner child. Finally I found it and its super creamy (without dairy), tasty (with out refined carbohydrates) and packed with protein (with out sticking a steak in the middle of your dessert). Its my Coconut, Cinnamon and Date Bulgar and Quinoa pudding. The Bulgar and Quinoa mix I bought from Waitrose and is great as it's high protein, unrefined fiber filled goodness but you could replace it with straight Quinoa or any other protein rich whole grain you like.

Coconut, Cinnamon and Date Bulgar and Quinoa pudding

Ingredients
1/2 cup  Bulgar wheat and Quinoa mix (uncooked)
1/2 cup Coconut milk light
10 dates
2 tsp of cinnamon
1 tbsp of favorite sweetener (I used stevia)
1 tbsp of dessicated coconut unsweetened




*optional- toppings such as raisins, Goji berries, nuts and seeds 

-Put a small pan of water over a medium heat and bring to the boil. Add your Bulgar and Quinoa and cook for 10 mins. If your using another grain cook in the water till a few minuets before fully cooked (it will finish cooking in the coconut milk)

Dates and Coconut Milk ready for the pan!

- Drain your grains and return to pan. Add the coconut milk, dates, sweetener and cinnamon. Stir till the grains are fully cooked (about a further 2-3 mins), remove from heat and stir in your dessicated coconut.

- Serve up and add your toppings (I topped with Goji berries, raisins, chopped figs and Brazil nuts)

Comfort food at it's healthy best