Quinoa Patties

We at the Guv'nah have recently gotten into quinoa. Quinoa is a healthy grain, a fairly blank slate as far as taste goes, and somewhat similar to rice.  As such, we have been trying to find new and interesting recipes to try.  There are several to come, but here is one we tried near the beginning of our quinoa experiments.

These patties can be eaten plain, with the provided sauce recipe, or on a bun with your favorite burger toppings.  If you don't like mayo-based sauces, there is an alternative way to make the patties near the bottom.

Here we go.

You will need:

Patties:
1 cup cooked, cooled quinoa (make about 1/2 cup uncooked)
1/2 cup grated or cubed cheese, one that melts well (we used half fontina and half parm the first time; cheddar was awesome too)
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 green onions, chopped
1 egg
1 tsp. ground black pepper
pinch of salt

Sauce:
1/3 cup mayo
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, zest and juice
pinch of cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper

Best to make the sauce first.  In a small food processor or with a hand whisk, combine all the ingredients for the sauce until well blended.  Put in an air-tight container and store in the fridge.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine quinoa, cheese, flour, and onion so that flour coats everything.  Stir in egg so that it too coats everything and binds the ingredients together.  Mix in salt and pepper.

In a large skillet or frying pan, heat a few teaspoons of olive oil over a medium heat.  Form patties from the quinoa mixture using about 1/4 cup at a time.  Try wetting your hands first to help keep the mixture from sticking.  Patties should be about half an inch in thickness and as flat as possible.  Place patties in the skillet in a flat layer.  You will probably have to work in batches.  Cook the patties on each side for about 4-5 minutes.

Serve hot with a smear of sauce and a side of something green.

Go even healthier: If you don't want a mayo-based sauce, I found this alternative a very tasty option.

Cook the quinoa with about a tablespoon of lemon juice.  Add the 3-4 cloves of minced garlic and cayenne pepper to the patty mixture.  Serve plain or with a bit of parmesan cheese on top.

~ The Pink One