Pan-Fried Quinoa Cakes With Cheese

I tried Quinoa for the first time last year, and have slowly developed a liking to it with each new recipe I make.  Pronounced "keen-wah",  this superfood is often referred to as a grain, but is actually a seed from a vegetable that is related to swiss chard, spinach and beets.  It's gluten-free, and high in protein, fibre, and calcium.  I find myself making Quinoa in place of boring ol' rice a lot more these days.  The one thing I suggest when making Quinoa, is to rinse it thoroughly with water in a fine-mesh colander before cooking.  If you don't, the taste can be very bitter (learned that from the first few times making it... no wonder I didn't like it at first!)  Sometimes I cook a huge amount, and store it in the fridge for use during the week.  I enjoy it with avocados and chickpeas in a salad, or heat it up and use it as a side dish at dinner.

I just discovered a new Quinoa recipe that is so tasty, healthy and easy!  Hope you give it a try, and let me know what you think!  ~Janice ❤

Pan-Fried Quinoa Cakes with Cheese... and Sriracha on the side!

Here is the recipe for Pan-Fried Quinoa Cakes with Cheese (makes about 24 cakes):

• 4 cups cooked Quinoa 
• 1/2 cup shredded parmesan or cheddar cheese (I used a mix of both kinds)
• 6 tablespoons flour
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste

• olive oil for pan-frying
• Sriracha sauce (for some kick!)

1. Place all ingredients except for the oil and Sriracha, in a large mixing bowl.
2. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
3. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
4. Form patties that are about the size of a cookie, and 1/2 inch thick.
5. Fry until golden brown on one side (about 5 minutes), then flip over and fry 5 minutes more.
6. Serve with Sriracha sauce,  plain yoghurt, or tzatziki sauce.

Combine cooked Quinoa with all other ingredients

Pan-fry in olive oil over medium-high heat for 5 minutes

Carefully flip over with a thin spatula, then fry for 5 minutes more