Black Bean Quinoa Patties {Meatless Monday}

I love when Meatless Monday dinner comes together easily..just grab few ingredients here and there. 

No planning. Not too much thinking. Just delicious, healthy, meatless dinner at the table.

.. it all happened when black beans met quinoa, mixed in with sauteed onions and freshly chopped mint.  Its like they were all meant to be together in a form of patties packed with lots of nutrients.  

Quinoa, a native crop to the Andes Mountains of Bolivia, Chile, and Peru is typically eaten as the grain like wheat, oats, and barley but its actually from same food family that contains spinach, Swiss chard, and beets!

Within past few years, quinoa has received a lot of attention because of its astounding health benefits. Its a great source of protein, with nine essential amino acids and gluten-free. It is has only 172 calories per 1/4 cup (dry).

Anyways, its very good for you! If you have not tried it yet, I highly suggest that you do and you will thank me for introducing quinoa to you :)

..moving on to the patties story, it hit the spot - in terms of both flavor & texture. I had these on whole wheat patties, smothered with spicy tahini paste and a side of homemade oven fried eggplant fries.

And had more for lunch next day - I crumbled them on top of garden salad. Simply delicious! 

Black Bean Quinoa Patties
Makes about 6 patties

Ingredients

1-15 oz can black beans, rinsed 

1/2 cup quinoa, dry 

1 small onion, chopped

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

1 egg

1/2 cup bread crumbs 

handful fresh mint, chopped  

2-3 teaspoon cumin powder

1-2 teaspoon paprika powder

oil for sauteing onions & pan-fry patties

salt & pepper, to taste

Directions

-In a small bowl, mash black beans until mushy and leave about 2 tablespoon whole. Set aside.

-In a medium sauce pan, cook quinoa based on the directions from the package.

- In small frying pan, heat oil over medium heat and sautee onions, garlic together for few minutes.

-Add cooked quinoa, sauteed onions and remaining ingredients together and mix well.

-If the mixture is too wet, add more bread crumbs.

-Form them into a shape of a patty and let it sit in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes

- In a medium skillet, over a medium heat, drizzle a tablespoon of oil and pan-fry these patties for 6-8 minutes on each side!

...while patties are in the refrigerator,  you can make these oven-fried eggplant fries!