Quinoa Cakes Recipe

I have a small confession to make.

I’m addicted to Quinoa Cakes.

They are comfort goodness on a stressful day with zero guilt.

Part savory, part bread-like, part cheesy, ALL good – and easy to make.

For those not familiar with Quinoa Cakes (and I wasn’t up until a couple of months ago), they have the consistency and flavor of a hush puppy or firm crab cake while being healthy and lo-cal. Double bonus, right?

I promise, make these, serve with a buffalo wing sauce and a cold beer – and your “Man Cave” spouse will be asking for seconds or thirds. (At least that is how it is in my house.)

Quinoa is available at Costco, Whole Foods in the bulk section, or about any grocery store in the Weird Ethnic Food Section.

Quinoa Cakes

Ingredients

2.5 cups quinoa, cooked (see instructions below)
5 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup swiss cheese, grated or chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup bread crumbs, regular or Italian
Olive Oil
Lawry’s Season Salt

Directions

1. Combine cooked quinoa, eggs, and salt in medium bowl.

2. Stir in green onions, onion, cheese, garlic and bread crumbs. And let sit for a few minutes to let the breadcrumbs absorb the liquid.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in large, cast iron pan over medium heat.

4. Form two and half inch wide by one inch thick patties and place in hot pan.

5. Cook for 7 – 10 minutes (or until bottoms are really brown…the browner the better). Flip and cook on other side for another 7 minutes or until brown. If needed, turn up the heat.

6. Repeat steps 3 – 5 until all of the qunioa mixture is gone.

7. Keep cooked patties warm inside warm oven on a oven-safe plate while you cook remaining mixture.

Serve with buffalo wing sauce or sprinkle with Lawry’s and eat immediately.

PS: Other good variations are bacon and sharp cheddar, broccoli and cheddar, and red pepper and swiss. Just make sure to chop up your veggies super fine.

Cooking Quinoa

1. Combine two cups of rinsed quinoa with three cups of water and a teaspoon of sea salt.

2. Bring to a boil, decrease heat, and simmer for 25 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and opaque in color.

3. Quinoa also freezes really well. So make a huge batch and freeze the remainder till later to make these patties on demand.

What about you? Do you have a favorite comfort food that is inexpensive? Share it with us via the comments or on the Kansas City Mamas Facebook Page.