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Make sure to use white quinoa; other varieties will not work here. The white quinoa grains break down more easily when cooked, and it is this “breaking down” of the grain that acts as the binder or glue- the secret to making these into a patty or cake.  It is gluten-free

Ingredients

Quinoa Cakes

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup rinsed, white quinoa (rinse and drain!!! DON’T SKIP)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh herbs or dried herbs
• zest from one small lemon (optional)

Fresh Tomato Chickpea Relish

• 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup fresh basil or parsley, or dill, mint- chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped scallions or finely sliced red onion
• 1,5 cup cooked chickpeas – drained and rinsed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ssalt – more to taste
• 1 small minced garlic clove (optional)

Instructions

1. In a medium pot, over high heat, add rinsed white quinoa, salt, garlic powder, cumin, dried herbs, olive oil, and stir. Bring to a boil. Cover, lower heat to low, and simmer gently for 20 minutes.
2. While the quinoa is cooking make the Tomato Chickpea Relish, stirring all ingredients together in a medium bowl.
3. Check quinoa- making sure all the water is gone. If not, continue cooking covered, 5 more minutes, and until steam holes appear (this usually takes me a total of 25 minutes) and quinoa has soaked up all the water and looks fairly dry.) It is important that quinoa is dry-ish and not watery. Be patient here, all stoves are different.
4. While it’s still warm, stir the quinoa vigorously with a fork, for a one whole minute, until you begin to see the individual grains break apart. This is imperative, to getting the quinoa to bind. Eventually, after a full minute of stirring, the grains will break apart and begin to clump. You can visually see this. Remove from stove, let cool down in the pot to where it’s cool enough to handle with your hands, about 15 minutes. Stir in the lemon zest and fresh parsley if you like.
5. Using wet hands, shape into 4 balls, the size of a tennis ball. Place on a plate or sheet pan. Using wet hands press into a 1 – 1 1/2 inch thick cake (about 3-4 inches wide), smoothing any cracks on the edges, making them nice and tidy. Wet hands is key.
6. Refrigerate 15 minutes to set. As the quinoa cakes cool they will become even more sturdy. (These will keep 3-4 days if made ahead, just lightly oil them, cover, and store in the fridge.)
7. Gently Pan-sear the Quinoa Cakes in a well-oiled skillet (using a thin metal spatula to flip) over medium heat.Just be sure to not fiddle with them- letting them develop a good crust before flipping. As then develop the crust, they will naturally release themselves from the pan.
8. You can also bake these in a toaster oven ( right on the rack) or in a 400F oven ( on a parchment-lined pan) until warmed through, about 20 minutes, but the crust for a skillet gives these the best texture.
9. Divide among plates and top with the fresh tomato chickpea relish. Spoon any remaining dressing over top and around the cakes.

NOTES

Can be made ahead, will keep up to 4 days in the fridge, used in salads.