Quinoa Mini Burgers

Quinoa mini burgers are an excellent choice for a light but hearty dinner, and can be a delicious vegetarian alternative to traditional meat burgers. Moreover, I suggest accompanying them with a side dish of grilled vegetables to enrich the plate with a wholly Italian touch. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 200 g of quinoa
• 400 ml of water or vegetable broth
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, grated
• 1 zucchini, grated
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 egg (or egg substitute if vegan)
• 50 g of grated cheese (optional, exclude if vegan)
• 30 g of breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil for cooking
• Bread for mini burgers (mini buns or regular buns cut)
• Toppings of choice: lettuce, tomato, sauce, mayonnaise, etc.

Preparation

1. Rinse the quinoa under cold running water and then cook it in a pot with 400 ml of water or vegetable broth, following the instructions on the package (usually it is simmered for about 15-20 minutes).
2. In the meantime, in a frying pan, sauté the chopped onion and garlic with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil until translucent. Add the grated carrot and zucchini and cook for another 5 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, mix the cooked and cooled quinoa with the sautéed vegetables, the egg (or egg substitute), grated cheese, and breadcrumbs. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Form small burgers from the mixture and press each burger well to ensure they hold together during cooking.
5. In a non-stick pan, heat a bit of oil and cook the mini quinoa burgers over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
6. Prepare the buns by cutting them in half and toasting them slightly.
7. Assemble the mini burgers by putting some dressing on the bread, then the quinoa burger, and add your preferred toppings (lettuce, tomato, sauce, etc.).

The beauty of these quinoa burgers is that you can adapt them to your tastes and use your preferred vegetables, or add spices and aromatic herbs for an extra touch of flavor.

Curiosity

Quinoa is not a cereal but a seed, and it comes from a plant called Chenopodium quinoa. It is considered a superfood thanks to its high content of complete proteins, fiber, and essential micronutrients.