I’ve been on a culinary quest to make good food even better. Of course starting out with quality ingredients is a key element in cooking. But what can make your food even better then what it is? Technique. In this recipe I sweat the peppers, onion, and garlic before adding them to the quinoa. The trick is then to add salt to the vegetables that are sweating. This brings out more of the natural flavor in the vegetables.
Quinoa is considered a super-food. Extremely high in protein, 0% fat, and easy to cook and season. If you haven’t been introduced to this little seed, commonly classified under grains, give it a try, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how versatile it is.
And of course, because I live in the Southwest, and learned to cook here, I’ve got to put my Sonoran spin on these tasty little treats.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Safflower oil
- 1 cup Quinoa, cooked to a sticky state
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2-3 jalapenos, diced (less if you want mild, more if you like the heat)
- 3-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp coriander, ground
- 2 tsp lime juice
- 3-4 tbsp Besan Flour (chickpea/garbonzo bean flour), for gluten-free version
- 2-3 tbsp all purpose flour for non-gluten free version
- 1/2 cup black beans, cooked
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Process
Heat up a skillet, and add safflower oil. When the oil is hot, add the peppers, onions, jalapenos, and garlic. Sweat until they are translucent. Cool them down and add to the prepared Quinoa. Add all the spices, lime juice, flour, black beans, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
Lay out a sheet tray or cookie sheet. Spray with cooking spray. Make patties approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and place on cookie sheet. Put in the freezer to set them up. This prevents the cakes from falling apart during the cooking process.
Heat up a heavy bottomed skillet. Add the cooking oil. Fry patties on both sides to a golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve with Ginger-Lime Jicama salad, and fresh fruit.
Serve these to your family, they’ll fall in love with you all over again.
