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.).