Crisp Quinoa Cakes With Cilantro, Scallions and Sriracha

quina

INGREDIENTS

Red = my own modifications

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • Salt
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro (I probably added 1 1/4 cup)
  • ¼ cup chopped scallions (I probably added closer to 1/2 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha (I added a little extra)
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Lime wedges for serving
  • I added 1/2 onion and a green pepper

PREPARATION

  1.  Chopped onion and pepper finely chopped then fried in a little oil then set aside
  2. Put the quinoa, a large pinch of salt and 2 1/4 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, and then adjust the heat so that the mixture bubbles gently. Cover, and cook, stirring once, until the grains are very tender and begin to burst, 25 to 30 minutes. When they are starchy and thick, transfer them to a large bowl to cool for a few minutes.
  3. Heat the oven to 200. Fold the cilantro, scallions, and sriracha (also pepper and onion if you added them) into the quinoa, and add a (very) generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. With your hands, form the mixture into 8 patties.
  4. Put 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is warm, cook 4 cakes at a time until the bottoms are nicely browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Flip, and brown on the other side, another 4 minutes. Transfer the cakes to the oven to keep warm while you cook the second batch with another tablespoon of oil. Serve with lime wedges.

Dilled-Vegetable Barley Soup

A flavorful vegetable and barley soup with mushrooms, fresh dill and fennel.

Recipe Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup pearl barley
  • 5 1/2 cups water – divided use
  • 1 tablespoon butter 2 cups minced onion
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 pound mushrooms, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 celery rib, minced
  • 6 tablespoons dry white wine (optional) – Not optional if the theme is alcohol
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh fennel (I used leek instread)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh snipped dill
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional sprinkle with toasted sunflower seeds before serving

Cooking Directions:

  1. In a small saucepan combine barley with 1½ cups of the water. Bring to a boil; cover, lower heat, and simmer until tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
  2. In a large, heavy stockpot melt butter; sauté onion with salt and bay leaf; cook over medium heat until onion begins to soften, 5 to 8 minutes.
  3. Add mushrooms, carrots and celery; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes. Add remaining 4 cups water, wine, lemon juice and barley. Lower heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for about 30 minutes. The soup will thicken, add more water, if desired.
  4. Shortly before serving, stir in the fennel, dillweed, garlic and pepper. Taste to adjust seasonings.

Makes 6 servings.