Sadly, I’m the only one in my house who likes quinoa. It’s too bad, because quinoa is so good for you. It’s full of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. It also helps balance blood sugar, along with many other health benefits. I happen to think it tastes pretty good too, although apparently my family would disagree. Needless to say, these quinoa patties did not win them over, but I was expecting that and I really didn’t care. I wanted to try them for myself and I wasn’t disappointed. You could eat them in a burger if you want, but I enjoy them without a bun and spread with garlic mayo. Since I couldn’t eat all of the patties myself at once, I froze them and have been eating them for lunch. They reheat pretty well in a toaster oven or under the broiler.

Quinoa Patties
Adapted from Eating Well, Living Thin

1 cup dry quinoa
2 cups vegetable broth
3/4 cup grated light cheddar cheese
1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese
1 carrot, finely grated
3 eggs, lightly beaten
3 tbsp flour
2 tbsp quick cooking oats
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp mustard powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
cooking spray

In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and broth. Heat over medium heat until boiling, then reduce to medium-low heat and cover. Let simmer for about 10 minutes. Turn heat off and leave the saucepan on the burner, still covered, for 6 more minutes. Fluff with a fork, then set aside and let cool.

In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cheddar, cottage cheese, carrot, eggs, flour, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt and pepper. In an electric frying pan on medium heat, spray oil generously and drop 1/4 cup of mixture for each pattie onto the pan. Press down with a spatula to form a patty. Cook about 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Serve with garlic mayo sauce (1/3 cup light mayonnaise, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp smoked paprika).