TLC Cooking "Q is for Quinoa: Savory Quinoa Cakes"

How to Cook Quinoa

Chef Gregory Schaefer

I wanted to create a really simple, healthy, and tasty way to use up leftover quinoa. This is a pretty forgiving recipe, so doctor it up any way you like. I wanted to keep these cakes pretty minimal and plain so you get that whole quinoa goodness. A magical thing happens when you mix the beaten egg into the grain, it starts to get very wet and after a few minutes binds well.

INGREDIENTS

The basic recipe for cooking quinoa is very simple--nearly identical to rice only with less time involved.
1 part	quinoa
2 parts	water
Savory Quinoa Cakes
1 1/2 cups	cooked quinoa
1	jumbo egg, beaten
2 tsp	sun dried tomatoes, chopped
1/3 cup	cheese
1/4 cup	basil, torn
2 tsp	lemon zest
Salt and Pepper to taste

PREPARATION:

Method

Place the quinoa in a sieve and give it a good rinsing. I usually run it under the tap and massage it with my fingers for several turns.
Boil the water in a saucepot and add the quinoa. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. Place a lid on the pot but leave it cracked open a little to let steam escape.
After 15 minutes most of the liquid should be absorbed into the grain, remove the pot from the heat and fluff the quinoa with a fork. If you want a softer texture, simply cover the pot and let sit for about five minutes. Serve it up.

Savory Quinoa Cakes

A "jumbo" egg is a big egg, the biggest one you've got. If you think your eggs are on the small side (like most of the ones I buy at the farmers' market) you will want to add about half of another egg or cut back on the quinoa a little. Stir your beaten egg into the quinoa with a fork and let it sit for about five minutes. It will really start to bind now.
Add the remaining ingredients.
Melt a little butter or heat up some oil in a pan (about a tsp, just a light coating) on medium to medium-high heat and add a 1/3 cup scoop of the batter. Cook for a good four minutes before flipping. If the cake breaks, gently press it back together with your spatula. After another 4 minutes on the second side the cake should be good to go.

Watch the video: