Quinoa Burgers
The newly-formed Austin Food Blogger Alliance has teamed up with the Capitol Area Food Bank to promote awareness of the resources available to area residents (such as the SNAP program). As AFBA members, we have specifically been challenged to come up with affordable, kid-friendly recipes that are tasty, healthy and easy to prepare.
I did some quick research on which low-cost foods are chemical-free, whole (minimally processed) and nutrient-dense, and decided that quinoa [keen-WAH] fit the bill quite nicely. Cultivated in the Andes Mountains since the pre-Columbian era, this seed is prized for its extraordinary nutritional value, particularly protein and essential amino acids. Gluten-free and easy to digest, quinoa is being considered as a possible crop in NASA’s Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration manned spaceflights.
Here, then, is my recipe for surprisingly satisfying, delicious quinoa burgers..
Quinoa Burgers
Makes 3-4 patties, depending on size (recipe inspired by a post at Eating Welll…Living Thin)
2/3 cup quinoa (choose from black, red or brown varieties)
1-1/3 cup water or broth
1/2 cup shredded cheese
2 green onions, slivered
2 eggs
1/3 cup corn flake crumbs or bread crumbs
salt and pepper
Place quinoa and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and allow to cool to room temperature.
Stir in cheese, green onions, eggs and corn flake crumbs. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then refrigerate mixture for 1 hour.
Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Form quinoa into hamburger-shaped 1/2-inch patties, then gently place in hot pan and cook until golden brown on both sides. Serve plain or on a bun, with toppings of your choice (tomatoes, onions, hummus, etc.).
lynn byrd AKA The Byrdfeeder said,
April 29, 2011 at 8:23 pm
I hereby dub these tasty treats Kung Fu burgers, as in my household, Quinoa, when mixed with other ingredients, is known as Kung Fu.
Ren said,
May 1, 2011 at 10:36 am
Love it! Kung Fu burgers they are!
Megan Hassen said,
April 29, 2011 at 8:48 pm
These look delicious! I’ve been looking for just this kind of recipe for my son, and am grateful because he needs to be on a low phenol diet and this fits the bill. Thanks!!
Ren said,
May 1, 2011 at 10:36 am
Thank you! I hope your son likes these :-)
Diana Martina said,
April 30, 2011 at 7:24 am
Ren this looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it and any other recipes you come up with for kids. This lady here needs inspiration.
thank you for putting out such beautiful choices of whole foods!
Ren said,
May 1, 2011 at 10:37 am
Thank you very much, Diana!
Christine said,
May 20, 2011 at 10:40 am
Yay! Gonna try this today–I’m a quinoa freak over here– Thank you Cage Free for sending me over.
BBQ Beans with Burnt Ends, Jalapeño Corn Muffins and Guajillo Honey « Edible Aria said,
May 20, 2011 at 5:04 pm
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