Quinoa Burgers

Burgers are always an easy, go-to meal. But the issue is, as my family sways more towards a vegetarian lifestyle (about 75%), we don't always have ground beef in our home, or sometimes, I just like to try making a favourite mainstay with something a bit different. Such was the case when I decided to try making some quinoa burgers. I was craving a burger, but not the meat.

Quinoa is all the rage these days as the super grain to eat. It's extremely high in protein and with it's slightly nutty flavour, very delicious and very good for you. It can be an acquired taste for some (my husband doesn't love it, but he will eat it when I make it), but I recommend acquiring it. Unless of course, you are grain free. :)

So this night it was burger night in the Werezak household and quinoa was on the list. The whole family enjoyed the results of this recipe and I hope you do as well. Again, I thank the finding of this recipe to pinterest. This recipe is adapted from Cookbook Recipes here.

QUINOA BURGER
(gluten-free)
makes approx. 8 burgers, depending on the size

Ingredients:

2 rounded cups of cooked quinoa*
3/4 cup shredded cheese (whichever kind you prefer. I used marble cheddar)
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 medium carrot, finely grated
3 eggs
3 Tbsp gluten-free all purpose flour
2 green onions
1/2 tsp organic coconut palm sugar
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/8 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp garlic powder
Olive oil or coconut oil for frying

*1 cup uncooked quinoa
  2 cups water
  pinch of sea salt

Directions:

- In a medium saucepan bring the 2 cups of water and salt to a boil over high heat. Add quinoa and reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 18-20 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the seeds are tender. Allow to cool for a few minutes.

- In a large bowl, combine the 2 cups of cooked quinoa, cheese, cottage cheese, carrot, eggs, flour, green onions, coconut palm sugar, pepper, cumin, salt, & garlic powder.

- Heat a frying pan and a couple teaspoons of oil over medium-low heat.

- The mixture will be sticky, so using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, drop mixture into the pan and lightly flatten to about a 1/2 inch thick. Fry until golden brown, approx. 4 minutes on each side. (I then placed the burgers on a stone and put them in the oven with the fries, to help bake the burgers through a bit more.)

I paired these amazing quinoa burgers with some delicious flax buns to make the whole experience healthy and gluten-free. Hope you enjoy as much as we did!

Happy Eating!