Quinoa Burger

Recently I have fallen in love with baking. The oven is on almost every day. Anything that requires frying, goes right into the oven. I dont have to miss the crispy and crunchy tastes either with the broil option.
Although I enjoy eating meat, I sometimes like to substitute them with vegetables or legumes. This dish was something that I wanted to try. I also like the fact that it was so simple to make and I can freeze the patties and bake them fresh in no time. This will be a dish I find myself making again and dont have to think about the amount of fat consumption.

Bean sprouts needs no explanation. An easy way of obtaining vitamins, minerals and enzymes that is found in various fruits and vegetables. Quinoa (pronounced as keen-wah), a frequent ingredient in my kitchen is a seed related to the spinach family which was originally from South America. It is a delicious whole grain that's easy to digest and an excellent replacement for rice. Some of the nutritional fact about Quinoa are; they are high in amino acids, protein and calcium. It is found to be more satiating than wheat or rice, so helps in weight loss. Basic method to cook is to boil 1 cup of quinoa with 2 cups of water for 15 minutes. It absorbs all the water and the size of the seed will increase, with a tender and springy texture.

I made two versions, one with turkey and the other with mixed beans/lentils. I din have to use potatoes nor breadcrumbs which are usually the main ingredients to make patties. Qunioa was a very good substitute.

QUINOA BURGER with Mixed Lentils

Ingredients:
1 cup Quinoa, cooked in 2 cups of water
1 cup mixed beans, soaked overnight
3 green chilies
2 tsp red chili powder
1 tbsp cumin powder
2 tsp coriander powder
1 egg white(optional)
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
To Layer:
Oroweat sandwich thins
Lettuce
Onion slices
Mustard sauce
Mayonnaise
Ketch up
Alfalfa sprouts

Method:
1. Pressure cook soaked beans for 3 whistles along with a pinch of baking soda. Cool and mash.
2.In a medium bowl, combine quinoa and rest of the ingredients.
3. Make burgers using a cutter ,about 3 inch across. Place them on a baking sheet.
4. Since the bean and quinoa are already cooked, bake at 350F for about 5 minutes and boiler for another 5-7 minutes or until the top layer turns light brown.

5. Serve by sandwiching them in between lettuce,onions and sprouts.

QUINOA BURGER with GROUND TURKEY

Ingredients:
1 cup Quinoa, cooked in 2 cups of water
1 lb ground turkey
3 green chilies
2 tsp chilli powder
1 tbsp cumin powder
2 tsp coriander powder
salt and pepper to taste
To Layer:
Oroweat sandwich thins
Lettuce
Onion slices
Mustard sauce
Mayonnaise
Ketch up

Method:
1.In a medium bowl, combine quinoa and rest of the ingredients.
2. Make burgers using a cutter ,about 3 inch across. Place them on a baking sheet.

3. Bake at 350F for about 20 minutes and boiler for another 6 minutes or until the top layer turns light brown.
4.Serve them by sandwiching them in between lettuce,onions and sprouts.

COOK'S FILE:
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NOTE: You can substitute vegetable too.
HINT: Qunioa hold the mixture together. There is no need to use breadcrumbs.
HINT2: If you are not able to shape them, then add 1 egg white.

Spaghetti Bolognaise

Preparation time:10 minutes
Total cooking time:1hr30mins
Serves 4

Bolognaise sauce is a meat-based sauce served on a bed of spaghetti with a good sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese originating in Bologna, Italy.

Ingredients:
2 tbsp oil
1 onion,chopped
1 tbsp crushed garlic
500g minced turkey
425g tomatoes chopped
4 tbsp tomato paste(puree)
2 tsp pepper powder
1 tsp paprika powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
375 g spaghetti
salt to taste
grated Parmesan cheese or chopped parsley for garnish

Method:
1.Heat oil in a large pan;add onion and garlic.Stir over medium heat for 5 minutes or until tender.
2.Add turkey,cook over high heat for 10 minutes or until well browned and almost all liquid has evaporated.Use a fork to break up any lumps of turkey.
3.Add tomato,tomato paste,salt,oregano and basil;bring it to boil.Reduce heat to low,simmer,uncovered ,stirring occasionally until sauce has thickened.Remove from flame once its done,this takes about 20-30 minutes.
4.Add spaghetti to another large pan of rapidly boiling water with 1 tsp of salt and cook until tender;drain.
Serve spaghetti in individual bowls with bolognaise sauce spooned over the top.Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese or parsley.

COOK'S FILE
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Hint:Cook the sauce until you get rid of the raw tomato smell.
Variation:Instead of dried oregano and dried basil,can use fresh once too.Can replace paprika powder with chili powder too.

TURKEY WITH LETTUCE CUPS

Ingredients:
8 oz extra firm tofu
1 tbsp chili paste
11/2 tsp toasted sesame sauce
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp sherry
2 tsp oil
1 tbsp minced ginger
1 tbsp minced garlic
4 chopped onion
1/2 pound turkey
1/2 diced water chestnut
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
3 sprigs of spring onion
1 large lettuce
Method:
1.In a bowl,whisk together chili sauce,sesame oil, hoisin sauce,vinegar,sherry.
2.Use paper towel and pat the tofu in order to remove as much water possible.Slice tofu into very small cubes.
3.Heat oil,add garlic,ginger,onions and cook until golden brown
4.Add turkey,tofu then mixed sauce.Cook for 5 minutes
5.Add water chestnut and stir to incorporate.Finally add chopped peanut and chopped spring onion
6.Fill each lettuce leaf with the filling

TURKEY SOUP

Ingredients:
1 tbsp oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 clove
garlic
1 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 pound ground white turkey
4 cup chicken broth
3/4 tsp oregano
For garnish cilantro leaves and lime

Method:
1.Heat Oil in a large pot.Add Onion,Celery and cook stirring until vegetable are soft
2.Add garlic,cumin,coriander powder and cayenne pepper
3.Add turkey and cook until the meat is no longer pink
4.Add the broth and cook stirring occasionally for 15 minutes on medium heat
5.Add salt and pepper.
6.Garnish with cilantro and lime