Broccoli & Cheddar Quinoa Cakes

All the credit for this one goes to Pinterest! I just love finding recipes with minimal ingredients and then realizing that all the ingredients are aready in my fridge. The design credit goes to me, because I had a big cup of coffee at 4:30 and…  I bought way too much cilantro.

Ingredients:

1 cup Quinoa (I used Red Quinoa but this would look prettier with the plain)

1 cup low/no sodium vegetable broth

1 cup water

1 cup shredded cheese (Vegan cheese would be great in this recipe too)

2 cups broccoli

1 egg**

Cooking spray

Seasonings: Smoked Paprika, Tumeric, Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder

1. mix quinoa, veggie broth, and water in a sauce pan and bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook for about 20 minutes or until all the liquid is disolved. I like to use half veggie broth for flavor but you can use all water. I also add my seasonings here. You want to make sure you have a tasty cooked quinoa.

2. chop broccoli into half inch pieces. Almost shred it. I like a few chunks of broccoli but you want it to all mix nicely and fit in your muffin tins. Add broccoli to a bowl. Set aside

3. once your quinoa is cooked, add it to the broccoli bowl while it’s hot. The steam from the quinoa will cook the broccoli. Add your cheese. Mix well and let cool. (This is where you taste it to make sure it’s flavored well.)

4. after your mixture has cooled slightly, add 1 egg as a binder and mix well.

** If you want to make this vegan you can skip the egg or make a vegan egg which is 1 tablespoon flax powder mixed with 3 tablespoons water. This is the vegan equivilent to 1 egg and will take care of the binding in any recipe. You’re welcome.**

5. spray your muffin tin. Preheat oven to 350. Scoop your mixture evently into the muffin tin.

5. Sprinkle a little more cheese on top if you like. I do like.

6. Pop it in the oven for 15 – 20 minutes. Joony wanted it a little crunchier so we put in back in for the last 5 and it really tasted much better. So, I recommend going for the full 20 minutes or putting it on broil for a bit at the end.

Let them cool and really come together. Pull them out with a spoon so you can keep their shape. Plate them really fancy. And Voila!