Ever since I picked up Heidi Swanson’s latest cookbook, Super Natural Every Day, I’ve been dying to make quinoa cakes. Heidi has an easy looking recipe, that has been calling my name for weeks and weeks. Her recipe, along with every other one I stumbled upon within the blogosphere, is vegetarian, and still incorporates eggs. So I knew I had to try my hand at vegan quinoa cakes. But what a surprise to me when my first recipe trial turned out perfect. I literally squealed in delight when I took my first bite! It’s the simple pleasures in life sometimes. And creating a fabulous recipe is one of mine.
- 2 c. cooked quinoa
- 1/4 c. whole wheat pastry flour For gluten free, use garbanzo bean flour
- 2 tbs. ground flax seeds
- 1/4 c. water
- 1 large carrot, grated
- 1/2 sweet onion, chopped fine
- 2 tbs. chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 tsp. paprika
- 1/4 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. lemon zest.
- 1/2 tsp. lime zest
- juice from 1 lemon
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh salsa to garnish
- 1 1/2 tbs. canola oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Cook quinoa according to directions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Combine 2 c. cooked quinoa with flour, ground flax seeds and water.
- Add grated carrots, spices, lemon and lime zest, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Wet hands with water, and form 6-1″ thick quinoa patties. Pat edges of patties to firm up–rewetting hands with water if needed.
- Place canola oil in stovetop pan and brown patties for 4 minutes on each side.
- Transfer to baking sheet and bake for additional 15-18 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from oven and serve. Garnish with salsa, vegan sour cream, and fresh avocado slices.
- **Optional: for a lower fat version, skip the pan sear and put the patties straight into the oven. Bake for an additional 10 minutes until cooked through.
Deliciously moist and savory, with a touch of citrus and spice… and the cakes hold together perfectly. You must try this recipe. Quinoa is a whole grain with all essential amino acids, making it a perfect plant protein source. It’s also high in calcium, magnesium, B12, iron, fiber and plethora of other nutrients. Quinoa is a superfood, and should be in every stocked kitchen!
Green juice recipe of the day:
- 1 c. fresh spinach
- 5 lg. romaine leaves
- 1 cucumber
- 2 apples
- 4 stalks celery
Finals are finally over for me! I have the next four weeks to relax and spend some quality time with friends and family. All my hard work paid off, and it feels so good to finally be done.
It reminded me of my younger years, playing viola in our high school orchestra. If there was one thing I wish I had stayed with into my adult years it would probably be music. College swept me off my feet and I left music behind, but at least I still have lots of good memories!
~ Peace, Love & Veggies xo
Those quinoa cakes look amazing!! I am definitely going to try those! Congrats on finishing finals – you must feel great!
Lauren
http://www.brooklynnatural.blogspot.com
Thank Lauren, they turned out really delicious and are super easy to make! You’d be so proud, I nailed my business law final and aced the class! Woohoo!
hehe
These cakes look amazing! I love how much staying power quinoa has!
Alexa @ SimpleEats recently posted..The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap
Quinoa really is a super food, that’s the best way to describe it! These cakes are a great protein fix before or after a workout!!!
jealous – I want my finals to be over, too!
but these quinoa cakes do look good. I am surprised they stay together so well. good work!
Fran from vegansmarties recently posted..Aux Vivres, Montreal
They held together PERFECTLY! I was so impressed and excited when they did! The secret is to use two full tablespoons of ground flax, and to keep your hands wet while you are forming the patties, by using a little extra water. You have to try them they’re so yum!!
Good luck with your finals!
These quinoa cakes do look really great! In fact, they are really pretty! Congrats on your finals, I am sure that feels awesome. P.s I love ballet too. Anything artsy is amazing.
Thanks Marissa! They turned out so good that I’m thinking of making some more this weekend. I had such a good time at the ballet and then I was able to go to the theater this weekend–wow getting spoiled this month! There is something about seeing performances over the holidays that makes it that much more enjoyable
Hi Debbie! I am fortunate to live close to a few rlealy great stores that have lots of tasty and inspiring healthy food products. That combined with so many great online sources for yummy vegan recipes has made it very easy for me thus far
I made the vegan quinoa cakes for dinner tonight and have to say that they were absolutely delicious! A big ol’ salad with a couple of cakes on the side with a dollop of plain vegan yogurt and some salsa and I was in quinoa heaven! I stumbled upon your blog and this recipe, but now I will be looking more closely for more scrumptious foods to try. Thanks!!
WOW! Delicious! I made these tonight and topped with fresh salsa and tofutti sour cream mixture which was a mixture of tofutti sour cream, fresh lime juice and minced cilantro. It was awesome! Thanks for the recipe!