True Food Kitchen’s Inside Out Quinoa Burger
About 1 hour, plus cooling time. Makes 5 burgers
QUINOA PATTIES
1 1⁄3 cups red quinoa
2 2⁄3 cups water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon red chile flakes
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon minced fresh mint leaves
1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt Pinch ground black pepper
¼ cup gluten-free bread crumbs
1. Cook the quinoa: Rinse the quinoa under cold running water. In a saucepan, combine the quinoa and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork. This should make about 4 cups quinoa; reserve any extra for another use.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, chile flakes and eggs.
3. In a separate large bowl, combine the quinoa, cumin, mint, oregano, salt and pepper. Add the wet ingredients and mix until fully incorporated. Fold in the bread crumbs.
4. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
5. To form the patties, divide the mixture into 10 equal amounts. Press the mixture into ring molds or large cookie cutters to form the patties. Bake the patties until they are firm to the touch and dry, 14 to 16 minutes (timing will vary depending on the size and thickness of the patties). Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Rewarm in a warm oven before using.
INSIDE OUT BURGER
10 slices tomato
10 slices cucumber
5 leaves butter lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
15 red onion rings
5 teaspoons crumbled feta cheese
2½ teaspoons olive oil Generous
1/8 teaspoon salt
1½ teaspoons lemon juice
10 prepared quinoa patties, warmed
5 tablespoons hummus
5 teaspoons tzatziki sauce
1. In a large mixing bowl, toss the tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, onions and feta cheese with the olive oil, salt and lemon juice.
2. To assemble each burger, spread 1 tablespoon hummus on one side (the “bottom”) of a quinoa patty. Top the patty with 1/5 of the tossed vegetable mixture. Dollop the top of the vegetables with 1 teaspoon of tzatziki sauce and top with a second patty. Repeat to form 5 quinoa burgers. Serve immediately.