Two Yummy Quinoa Recipes

Sorry these are not vegetarian recipes. But, I promise that your little ones and big ones will like them.

Chicken, Apple and Quinoa Patties

These patties are great finger foods for kids. They can dip them in apple sauce or just eat them plain. They are also really yummy as chicken burgers for adults. Just form the patties larger and double the recipe.

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into chunks / 2 coarsely chopped scallions / 3/4 cups cooked and cooled quinoa / 3 tablespoons applesauce / 1/4 teaspoon salt / 3 tablespoons olive or canola oil.

1. Pulse chicken & scallions in a food processor until coarsely pureed. Transfer to a bowl. Stir in apple sauce, quinoa and salt. Form the mixture into 2 inch patties that are half an inch thick for kids or large hamburger sized patties for adults.

2. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add patties to skillet; cook , turning once, until golden brown and cooked through (about 4 minutes per side for small patties and double for the larger ones).

Quinoa Turkey Meatloaf

2lbs ground turkey / 2 large eggs / 2 tablespoons hot sauce / 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce / 1 medium onion grated / 2 cloves garlic minced / 1 cup cooked quinoa / 1/2 teaspoon of both salt and fresh ground pepper / 2 tablespoons olive oil / 1 1/3 cups warm water

Preheat oven to 350F. Put all ingredients into a bowl and mix together with hands. The key to good meatloaf is to never over work the ingredients, so don't mix it too much. You can cook it in a baking dish or a loaf pan but my favourite way is to form the mixture into a loaf and place on a small piece of parchment on a baking sheet. Cover with foil for the first half of the cooking time then remove the foil for the last half. I like to us a digital thermometer and cook until the internal temp is 160F (usually takes 40-50 minutes). Don't over cook meatloaf, it should be moist not dry!