Vegetarian

Quinoa Burgers

Tip: Cooking quinoa

In a medium saucepan bring 2 cups of water and 1/2 tsp salt to a boil over high heat. Add 1 cup of quinoa, reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed and the seeds are tender. Allow to cool for a few minutes before using in recipe.


Ingredients:

2 rounded cups cooked quinoa (see above)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1 medium carrot, finely grated OR 1 cup shredded zucchini, squeezed
3 eggs
3 Tlb flour
2 green onions, including white parts, chopped
1/2 tsp Splenda or sugar
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp garlic powder
Olive oil for frying


Directions:

In a large bowl combine the cooked quinoa, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, carrot, eggs, flour, green onions, sugar, pepper, cumin, salt, and garlic powder.

Heat a frying pan and a couple teaspoons of olive oil over medium-low heat. Mixture will be slightly sticky, but I found it best to form patties with your hands before depositing into the pan. Using a 1/4 measuring cup will help you keep the sizes uniform. Form patties about 1/2 inch thick.

Fry until golden-brown, about 4 minutes on each side.

We really liked these! It makes a lot. They were good on hamburger buns with lettuce and sauce, but were also really good by themselves. Made a great snack or lunch. I recently found the following variation, but have yet to try it.


Baked Bites variation

2 cups cooked quinoa
2 large eggs
1 cup shredded carrot
2 stalks green onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 Tlb flour
1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix together all the ingredients in a large bowl.

Distribute mixture into a greased mini muffin tin, filling each cup up to the top (1 heaping Tlb each)

Bake for 15-20 minutes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce

Little bites of goodness

Frozen Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 tablespoon water 1/8 tsp salt

2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, if desired 1/8 tsp baking soda

Directions:

Cream the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Stir in the vanilla, water, flour, salt, baking soda, chocolate chips, and walnuts, if desired, and mix until well blended. Roll dough into bite-sized balls (or use a small ice cream scoop). Place on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 2 hours. Store balls in resealable plastic bags in the freezer. You can also dip these in chocolate or drizzle them with chocolate for a fancier look. They are simple and yummy and make A LOT. Kids loved them!

Chocolate Heaven!

French Chocolate (hot cocoa)

5 sq unsweetened chocolate
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 pint heavy cream

Melt chocolate on low heat. Add 1 cup boiling water while stirring vigorously. Heat well. add salt and sugar. Cook over medium low heat for about 10 minutes stirring continuously. Chill, possibly overnight, or at least 4 hours. To serve, whip 1 pint heavy cream until stiff and then fold into chocolate. Add heaping spoonfuls to hot milk and stir.

**This is also delicious eaten as a chocolate mousse (instead of stirring into milk)