Goal #11: Try 75 new recipes (36 & 37/75)

Last night I made Greek Style Quinoa Burgers. Quinoa is a grain-like crop (actually a seed)closely related to beets, spinach and tumbleweeds (according to Wikipedia). More info here! Great source of protein.


As far as meat-free burgers go, these were pretty tasty! I'm on the fence with the yogurt sauce though. Greek yogurt is a little too tangy for my taste. I think it's more tangy than sour cream. But Greek yogurt is more healthy than sour cream!

Here's the recipe!

Greek-Style Quinoa Burgers 

• 1/2 cup rinsed quinoa
• 1 medium carrot, cut in large chunks
• 6 scallions, thinly sliced
• 15 ounces great northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• Coarse salt
• Ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 4 pitas (each 6 inches)
• 1/2 English cucumber, thinly sliced diagonally

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, bring 3/4 cup water to a boil; add quinoa cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook until liquid is absorbed, 12 to 14 minutes; set aside.
2. In a food processor, pulse carrot until finely chopped. Add cooked quinoa, half the scallions, beans, breadcrumbs, egg, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; pulse until combined but still slightly chunky.
3. Form mixture into four 3/4-inch-thick patties (dip hands in water to prevent sticking). If too soft, refrigerate 10 minutes to firm. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium; cook burgers until browned and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes per side.
4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, and the remaining scallions; season with salt and pepper. Serve burgers in pita topped with cucumber and yogurt sauce.

 *Notes: I used FAGE Greek Yogurt. It is very thick! I over mixed the mixture after adding the beans. I only have a food chopper so I chopped the carrot, scallion, and quinoa then I chopped the rest separately. I should've done everything but the beans and just mash those with a fork. I also added garlic salt and onion salt and dill weed to the yogurt to give it a little more flavor.

Ryan ate half of his burger, all of his cukes, tomato and pita bread. I have to deconstruct things for him to get him to eat it. I think he likes to know what all he's eating.

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Tonight I made Chicken and Cheese Lasagna Roll Ups that I found on Pinterest. These were a big hit with Jimmy. Ryan ate about half of a roll up. Super easy!

My computer's acting up now so I'll just give the link.

Chicken and Cheese Lasagna Roll Ups

*Notes: I added Italian Seasoning to the filling. Cooked the chicken in water seasoned with a chicken bouillon cube, garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper. Then I cooked the noodles in the same water to give them more flavor. I also added some Italian Blend shredded cheese on top.