Quinoa Cakes

Our mornings start pretty early, usually with a workout.  These "pancakes" are a quick and easy way to get a little nutrition pre-workout. I make a big (double/triple below) batch every couple weeks, keep some in the fridge and the rest stacked with wax paper in the freezer. I got the basis for this recipe from Everyday Foods.
*1 c. cooked quinoa or brown rice
*3/4 c. flour (I use a 6-grain blend or whole wheat)
*2 tsp. baking soda
*1/2 tsp. coarse salt
*1 large egg, plus 1 large egg white
*1 TBSP. unsalted butter, melted, plus more for pan if needed
*1/4 c. almond (or low-fat) milk
*2 TBSP. pure maple syrup
*1 tsp. cinnamon
*Fresh blueberries or fruit/preserves

In a medium bowl, whisk together quinoa, flour, baking soda and salt.  In another medium bowl, whisk together egg and egg white, butter, milk, syrup and cinnamon until smooth.  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix well.  Add blueberries if desired.  Lightly coat a large skillet or griddle with butter and heat to medium/medium-high heat.  Drop batter by tablespoons onto griddle and cook until bubbles form on surface.  Flip and cook until golden brown on the underside.  Wipe griddle and repeat cooking process.  Serve plain for on-the-go or topped with fruit.  If freezing cakes, just pop frozen into the toaster to heat.  Makes about 10.

Breakfast Quinoa

I've been scrambling this past week.  I don't even know how we made it to the middle of December.  I've had a few too many days of leaving early and not getting back until late (as in I felt so good yesterday when my sister told me I looked exhausted), which has reminded me how important a solid breakfast is.  This recipe comes from Martha's Living and is a great alternative to oatmeal for me.

*2 c. low-fat milk, plus more for serving

*1 c. quinoa, rinsed

*3 TBSP. brown sugar, plus more for serving

*1/8 tsp. cinnamon, plus more for serving

*1/2 pint fresh blueberries (we've been using dried and I'm sure frozen would work as well)

Bring milk to a boil in a small saucepan. Add quinoa, and return to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, covered, until three-quarters of the milk has been absorbed, about 15 minutes. Stir in sugar and cinnamon. Cook, covered, until almost all the milk has been absorbed, about 8 minutes. Stir in blueberries, and cook for 30 seconds. Serve with additional milk, sugar, cinnamon, and blueberries if desired.

Enjoy and since odds are this blog will be neglected for a few weeks, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Chicken, Quinoa & Apple Burgers

I came across a similar recipe from a a baby food book and decided to try an adult version. I know a few of you are going to gag and stop reading this immediately when you learn that I pureed chicken breasts to make the base of these burgers. I think they were a lot like my salmon patties and were actually very easy to make.

*1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips or cubes
*2 cloves garlic
*1/2 tsp. onion powder
*1 1/2 c. cooked quinoa, room temp
*6 TBSP. applesauce, plus more for serving
*1/4 c. canola oil

Cook about 1/2 quinoa, fluff and let cool. Pulse chicken and garlic in a food processor until coarsely pureed. In a large bowl, combine chicken, onion powder, quinoa, applesauce. Use a 2 TBSP. cookie scoop to scoop out balls of the chicken mixture. Use a sheet of plastic wrap between your hands to flatten the balls to about 2-inch patties that are about 1/2 inch thick. Place on plastic wrap on a plate or cookie sheet, cover. Refrigerate a couple hours or freeze for up to a month.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add patties to skillet (don't overcrowd); cook, turning once, until golden brown and cooked throughout, mine took about 5 min on each side. Serve warm with applesauce over top or to dip for the kids. For some reason I didn't take any pictures of the final product, just imagine golden brown patties. The verdict, they were very tasty. The fried quinoa with the garlic was great. The girls and hubby liked them and I've got a dozen or so in the freezer for a quick meal.