Parmesan Quinoa Pancakes with Whipped Feta Spread & Marinara Dipping Sauce

I’m a bonafide grazer. Small bites all day long is how I roll.

Parmesan Quinoa Cakes, www.mountainmamacooks.com

First thing in the morning is always a cup of green tea or decaf coffee and usually a piece of buttered toast. An hour or so later after I get the kids off to school, I’ll have a bowl of yogurt or some scrambled eggs. That’s usually the time I sit down to the computer and check in on all of you. It seems that not long after I finish my breakfast, I’m grabbing for a piece of fruit and a handful of nuts to go with my second mug of tea. I jump into my routine (ever changing) of doing laundry, running errands or if I’m lucky a game of tennis or a quick hike. I never go anywhere without a bar or bag of almonds in my purse. I get hungry easily and if my blood sugar drops watch out folks- it’s not pretty.

Parmesan Quinoa Patties with Whipped Feta Spread, www.mountainmamacooks.com

Lunch is never a sit down affair for me. I know I should be better about it but I usually am grabbing something on the go in between crossing things off my to do list. Sometimes I’ll take the time to make a salad but usually it’s warmed up leftovers or a plate of poo poo’s from the fridge- lunch meat, sliced cheese, crackers, a sliced apple, a scoop of peanut butter or hummus. (Poo-poo’s is a term coined by my dear friend Joe. I think it comes from the poo-poo platter but I’m not really sure. Poo-poo’s is what we’ve affectionally named small bites in our house.) After writing and re-reading this, I think it might be a little weird but none the less, it’s what we call them. Afternoon becomes a free for all and I usually always grab for something sweet. A piece of chocolate, a homemade cookie or a slice of quick bread to get me through the afternoon.

Cheesy Quinoa Cakes with Romesco Sauce, www.mountainmamacooks.com

I think dinner is the only time I actually sit down and enjoy a real meal. Sitting down as a family is a big deal to me and we eat together almost every night. Dinner time can be such a scramble, I try to plan ahead as often as I can so that we’re not relying on cereal and frozen waffles to pose as supper. I made these quinoa cakes a few weeks ago with some leftover cooked quinoa I had in the fridge. Not wanting it to go to waste but tired of quinoa salads, I decided to try these patties. They were such a hit, I’ve made them twice since getting the proportions just right. Great as part of meal but also terrific as a grab and go snack. (Just my style.) When just out of the pan, the crispy exterior from the toasted quinoa and cooked cheese is pretty spectacular. But I have to say I’m just as happy to eat one cold from the fridge as is. Top it on a bed of greens for a light salad or grab and go on your way out the door, these are winners. I am excited to start offering these on my catering menu. They’re that good. (Even if they aren’t the prettiest.)

quinoa cakes with whipped feta spread, www.mountainmamcooks.com

Even my meat loving husband couldn’t get enough. It might have had something to do with the Whipped Feta or Homemade Marinara I served them with but let’s just go with the idea that these quinoa patties rock!

Hope you’re all having a wonderful week! Be well peeps! xo

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Parmesan Quinoa Cakes, www.mountainmamacooks.com

Parmesan Quinoa Pancakes with Whipped Feta Spread & Marinara Dipping Sauce


Description

These quinoa pancakes make a great appetizer or a light supper served over mixed greens. Mix them up by changing the cheese and dried herbs to make them your own!


Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1/4 cup whipped feta spread
  • 3/4 cup your favorite marinara sauce, warmed

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl mix quinoa, parmesan cheese, flour, salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder, egg and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix well to incorporate all the ingredients well.
  2. Let mixture sit for 5 minutes.
  3. In a large saute pan, add remaining two tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Divide quinoa mixture into six patties.
  4. Fry the patties over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes each side, turning heat down if necessary so that patties brown but don’t burn.
  5. After both sides are browned and patties are cooked through, remove from pan and let drain on a paper towel.
  6. Serve warm with whipped feta spread and your favorite marinara sauce.