Quinoa Patty

Quinoa, the Aztec super food , or so its being marketed as lately. It is a delicious seed (not a grain) packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. You cook and eat it as you would cook rice, easy to prepare with a slightly nutty flavor. I went to a restaurant and had a Quinoa patty on a salad and enjoyed it so much I had to learn to make it.



Ingredients

3 cups quinoa, cooked
½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
½ cup non- or low fat plain greek yogurt
1 medium carrot, grated
1 small zucchini, grated and squeezed dry
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons gluten-free flour, such as rice (this is for the gluten free option, you can use regular flour as well)
2 green onions, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh thyme
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. Prepare quinoa according to package directions.
   
2. Combine all ingredients except oil. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large pan. Reserve the remaining oil to divide between 2 additional batches of patties.
3. Pack a ¼ cup measure with the quinoa mixture. Carefully scoop it onto the pan and flatten slightly. Repeat to form 4 patties. Cook about 4 minutes per side, until lightly browned. Add oil and patties to cook 2 additional batches. You should make approximately 12 patties total.
   

Tip: I use an egg ring to form the pattys in the pan, they come out perfectly round every time, and the same thickness.