The Real Housewife of Santa Monica

Quinoa Cakes

Yesterday a friend from my Rochester days put something on Facebook about quinoa. I was all, “BINGO! That’s what I can make for dinner tonight!”  Thanks, Gretchen! This recipe’s for you.

By the way, I tried baking these then I tried pan frying them. Guess which was better? You already know.

My kids are all up in my _____ right now since Jack & Patsy left and Bea decided to quit napping. Not only that, but I find myself their unwitting hostage every night until around 9:30PM when I can finally make my escape…to a sinkful of dirty dishes. Hooray.

Anyway, trying to cook or blog or even eat properly these days is taking some doing. Or not doing and just baking these beauties in the toaster oven:

Mmmmmm, Costco, where have you been all my life?

Whoops – I digress. While I DID finally break down and get a Costco membership, I only made these once – last Saturday since we had a lot of college basketball to watch. The girls loved them. I actually heard this line come out of his mouth that same day, “Finish your cheese stick so you can have a Thin Mint.” My brother knows what I’m talking about here.

Well, anyway, yesterday I made these quinoa cakes. You know, the subject of this post?

For your NON cheese stick days.

G ate like 6 of them last night. No kidding.

Here’s what you need:

and this:

INGREDIENTS:
2.5 c cooked quinoa
4 large eggs, beaten (I used egg replacer – 0 cholesterol!!!)
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 c finely chopped fresh chives (I used parsley b/c I didn’t have any chives)
1 onion, finely chopped
1/3 c grated parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 c bread crumbs
water, if needed
1 TBSP olive oil
OPTIONAL: 1 handful zucchini, finely chopped (or whatever else you might have!)

1. Make your quinoa first. People: don’t be like me. Read the directions. You need 2.5 c COOKED quinoa. That’s a whole lot less uncooked quinoa. According to the package I used, 1 cup uncooked quinoa makes about 4 cups cooked quinoa. I decided to make that much since it’s easy to measure. Also, I know quinoa makes good leftovers and one of Gretchen’s friends mentioned eating sort of as oatmeal for breakfast.

Here’s what it looks like when it’s cooked:

2. Measure out 2.5 c of the quinoa into a large bowl. Add parsley, onion, zucchini (optional), cheese & garlic.

3. Add the bread crumbs, combine well & let rest for a few minutes.

Btw: I use egg replacer instead of eggs most of the time and it has a ton of benefits:
- NO cholesterol.
- NO chance of salmonella. Especially because you are forming them with your hands.
- NO problem if you thought you had eggs and don’t!

4. Form patties with your *clean* hands. If they’re too wet, add some breadcrumbs. If they’re too dry, add a little water until you get a good malleable patty that is easy to work with but stays together.

5. Heat the oil in a non-stick skillet to medium-low. Cook the patties on each side, covered, for about 7-10 minutes, or until browned on both sides. I push down on the patties with a spatula to ensure the cook all the way through.

Look Mom! I cut out a triangle!

I served it with a simple green salad & my favorite hot sauce.

 

5.0 from 1 reviews

Quinoa Cakes
Author: 
Recipe type: Main
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 

Serves: 2-4
 

Delicious cakes made of the super (protein rich) grain!
Ingredients
  • 2.5 c cooked quinoa
  • 4 large eggs, beaten (I used egg replacer – 0 cholesterol!!!)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ⅓ c finely chopped fresh chives
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • ⅓ c grated parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 c bread crumbs
  • water, if needed
  • 1 TBSP olive oil
  • OPTIONAL: 1 handful zucchini, finely chopped (or whatever else you might have!)

Instructions
  1. Cook the quinoa (follow package directions.) Cool to room temperature in a large bowl.
  2. Add eggs & salt to quinoa. Then add onion, garlic, parsley (or chives), cheese and zucchini. Combine well.
  3. Add bread crumbs and let absorb for a few minutes.
  4. Form patties with your hands.
  5. Heat oil on medium-low in a large non-stick skillet. Cook patties for about 7-10 minutes (or until browned) on each side. It helps to press down on the patties with a spatula to ensure they cook through.
  6. Serve with a green salad & hot sauce!

Notes
If you can, make the patties to order! The quinoa mixture keeps well for 2-3 days in the refrigerator so you aren’t forced to cook them all at once. These are tasty, tasty, tasty!!

 

Ever so slightly adapted from Super Natural Every Day



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4 comments on Quinoa Cakes

  1. Lib
    March 21, 2012 at 1:45 am (4612 days ago)

    Yum!! Yet another recipe I need to try… and if G ate 6 of them, I know they’re good!! :)

  2. drew
    April 2, 2012 at 1:19 pm (4600 days ago)

    Gotta tell Amy about this, never knew what to do with this Quinoa. Great!

  3. Christina
    April 2, 2012 at 2:43 pm (4600 days ago)

    Drew – let me know how they turn out! I love these things & they’re really simple to make.

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