Mediterranean Quinoa Cakes with Mesclun & Goat Cheese Salad

by | Updated: December 3rd, 2016 | Read time: 2 minutes

Quinoa has become the queen (or king) of the grain world recently, and everyone is raving about its high protein and fiber content, chewy-soft texture and amazing ability to end your decades-old boredom with rice. But the question is: How is it used? In this recipe, cooked quinoa is uniquely crafted into patties with chopped veggies and fresh herbs, then lightly pan fried for a healthy burger alternative. Serve them on buns or make mini-versions and pile them on a gourmet mesclun and goat cheese salad.

 Mediterranean Quinoa Cakes

Mediterranean Quinoa Cakes with Mesclun & Goat Cheese Salad

Serves 4

Ingredients

Quinoa cakes
1 cup quinoa
½ red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
4 Tbsp. red onion, minced
2 Tbsp. scallions, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. parsley, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. olive oil
¾ Tbsp. salt
Fresh ground pepper to taste

Mesclun & Goat Cheese Salad
8 cups mesclun (about 8 cups)
1 cup crumbled goat cheese
2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. honey
Salt and Fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Cook quinoa according to package directions; transfer to a mixing bowl and let cool.
  2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and red onion. Let sit for 10 minutes to soften garlic and tame onion flavor.
  3. Add chickpeas, red bell pepper, scallions, and onion mixture to the quinoa. Mix well and season with fresh ground pepper to taste.
  4. Mold the quinoa mixture into patties. Place patties on a plate, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.
  5. Heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil and cook patties until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes on each side.
  6. For salad, place mesclun in a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix all remaining ingredients (ecept goat cheese). Pour vinaigrette over the greens and toss. Sprinkle with goat cheese.

Recipe courtesy of Serena Wolf, a private chef, food writer and blogger for Domesticate-Me.com