Recipe: Quinoa Slider

Since we all LOVED the lunch and learn last week, here is yet another Quinoa recipe ;)

Quinoa Sliders(adapted from howsweetseat.com)

Note: I didn't use the whole amount of cooked quinoa, looked like too much to me, also I reduced the stock about 1/2 cup. The quinoa wouldn't stick together at all, so I used some "glue" (mayonnaise) -worked really well. The recipe shows the orignal amounts.
My amount was enough for 7 medium sized buns.

1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed (I didn't use the whole amount of the cooked quinoa)
2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1 cup cooked chickpeas
1/2 cup freshly grated provolone cheese (I used mozzarella)
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1 green chili pepper, diced small
1 large egg + 1 egg white, lightly beaten (I didn't use the egg white)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (see note)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
12 multigrain slider buns or dinner rolls
2 avocados, sliced for topping (I used tomatoes and cucumbers instead)
1/2 cup chipotle mayo, for topping (mix 1/2 cup mayo with chipotle chili powder or 1 teaspoon (or more) of chipotle in adobe or other hot sauce



Directions:
Add quinoa and stock to a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover, cooking for 15 minutes or until can be fluffed with a fork. You can do this ahead of time or even the night before (and store quinoa in the fridge) so the quinoa can cool.

While quinoa is cooking, slice the green onions, chop the carrots, and grate the cheese. Place it all in a bowl, then add panko and mix. Coarsely chop the chickpeas and add to the bowl. One quinoa is finished cooking, add it to the bowl and mix well until incorporated. If needed, let cool or place in the fridge for a few minutes to cool. Add in beaten egg + egg white, salt, pepper and mix well. Form into patties (I really squeezed a handful of quinoa together and smoothed it into a round, it may take some squeezing and form to get the patties to stick) that fit the size of the buns you have.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Once hot, add 5-6 quinoa patties and cook until deeply golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Gently flip and cook 5 minutes more. Remove and continue with remaining olive oil and patties.
Serve with chipotle mayo and avocado slices or tomatoes and cucumbers.

http://freshfromevaskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/07/quinoa-slider.html