Quinoa Burgers with Tzatziki

I'm sorry for not posting more recipes last week!  I made a rather sorry attempt at pad see ew that wasn't worth sharing - that recipe is definitely still under development.


Anywayyyy... tonight I made quinoa burgers with tzatziki.  I already sang the praises of quinoa, but I'll do it again here: even though these "burgers" are meat-free, they still have plenty of protein!  And if you make them during the summer, zucchini makes a nice substitution for the carrot.

Recipe courtesy of Eating Well...Living Thin.


Quinoa Burgers with Tzatziki
Makes 4 servings


Burgers:
     2/3 cup quinoa, uncooked
     ¾ cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
     ½ cup fat-free cottage cheese
     1 medium carrot, finely grated
     3 eggs
     3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
     2 green onions, including white parts, sliced
     ½ tsp sugar
     ¼ tsp black pepper
     ¼ tsp ground cumin
     1/8 tsp salt
     1/8 tsp garlic powder
     2 tsp olive oil for frying
Tzatziki:
     ¾ cup fat-free Greek yogurt
     3 Tbsp fat-free sour cream
     1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, grated, and squeezed of excess water
     ½ tsp sugar
     1 tsp dried dill weed
     Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

1. Cook the quinoa in 4/3 cup of water, according to package directions.
2. While the quinoa cooks, prepare the tzatziki: blend yogurt, sour cream, grated cucumber, sugar, and dill weed.  Season with salt and pepper to taste, and chill.
3. To make the burgers, combine the cooked quinoa, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, carrot, eggs, flour, green onions, sugar, pepper, cumin, salt, and garlic powder.
4. Heat a frying pan and olive oil over medium heat.  Form 8 patties that are about ½ inch thick.  Fry until golden brown (about 4 minutes per side).