Quinoa And Turkey Patties In Pita With Tahini Sauce Food

QUINOA SALAD WITH TAHINI DRESSING

Steps:

• Cook quinoa according to package directions, using 1/4 teaspoon salt. Let cool.
• In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, oil, tahini, warm water, garlic, cumin, peppers and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Stir in cooled quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, mint and green onions, stirring to coat quinoa and vegetables with dressing.
• This recipe can be refrigerated up to 3 days.
• The original recipe called for 1 cup of canned lentils to be added with vegetables and quinoa and doubled the amounts of lemon juice, olive oil and water for the dressing.

QUINOA-AND-TURKEY PATTIES IN PITA WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Rinse quinoa thoroughly in a fine sieve; drain. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add quinoa; return to a boil. Stir quinoa; cover, and reduce heat. Simmer until quinoa is tender but still chewy, about 15 minutes. Fluff quinoa with a fork; let cool.
• Meanwhile, process garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup cold water in a food processor until smooth. If necessary, thin with water until pourable. Transfer dressing to a small bowl; cover. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Put turkey, spices, mint, scallions, and salt in a clean bowl of the food processor; pulse until a smooth paste forms. Add quinoa; process until mixture clumps around the blade, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. With dampened hands, roll about 2 tablespoons quinoa mixture into a ball; flatten slightly, and set aside on a plate. Repeat with remaining mixture to make 24 patties total.
• Heat a dry large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium heat until hot. Working in batches, lightly coat both sides of patties with cooking spray. Cook patties in skillet, turning once, until cooked through, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer patties to a clean plate, and loosely cover with foil to keep warm.
• Divide lettuce, cucumber, and red onion among pita breads; top each with 4 quinoa patties. Drizzle each sandwich with 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon tahini dressing, and fold pitas over filling.

PITA SALAD SANDWICHES WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix all sauce ingredients until blended.
• Slice an edge from each pita bread, and carefully open pockets.
• In a medium bowl, combine feta, tomatoes, and spinach. Add 1/4 cup of sauce, and toss gently to mix. Spoon the mixture into each pocket.
• Divide sprouts, cucumber, and avocado among the sandwiches. Drizzle each with about 1 Tbsp of tahini sauce.
• Serve right away.

QUINOA-AND-TURKEY PATTIES IN PITA WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add quinoa; return to a boil. Stir once, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until quinoa is tender but still chewy and has absorbed all the liquid, about 15 minutes. Fluff quinoa with a fork; let cool.
• Meanwhile, process garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and remaining 1/4 cup water in a food processor until smooth. If mixture is too thick to pour, thin with more water. Transfer dressing to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate.
• In a clean food processor, pulse turkey, allspice, cumin, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), mint, scallions, and 3/4 teaspoon salt until a smooth paste forms. Add quinoa; process until mixture comes together around the blade, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. With dampened hands, roll about 2 tablespoons quinoa mixture into a ball; flatten slightly, and place on a plate. Repeat with remaining mixture to make 24 patties.
• Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium, until hot but not smoking. Working in batches, fry patties until cooked through, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer patties to a clean plate, and cover loosely with foil to keep warm. Add more oil to skillet between batches as necessary.
• Divide lettuce, cucumber, and red onion evenly among pita breads. Top each with 4 quinoa patties, then drizzle each sandwich with about 1 tablespoon tahini dressing. Fold pitas over filling, and serve.
• Nutrition Information
• (Per Serving)
• Calories: 434g
• Saturated: 2.1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6.9g
• Cholesterol: 32.5mg
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Protein: 23g
• Sodium: 380mg
• Fiber: 5.1g

QUINOA

Steps:

• Quinoa seeds contain twice the protein of rice, though it's not the quantity but the quality of the protein that stands out. With all nine essential amino acids (nutritional building blocks that help form proteins and muscle), quinoa is considered a complete protein. The tiny seeds also contain vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and magnesium, two nutrients that may help reduce the frequency of migraines. Magnesium may also help prevent hypertension (high blood pressure) and osteoporosis, while riboflavin may ward off cataracts. Quinoa contains vitamins B6 and E, as well as high levels of immunity-boosting iron and zinc. It's also a good source of dietary fiber, packing 5.2 grams per one cup serving. Since it's technically not a grain, quinoa has no gluten, making it tolerable in most cases for those with Celiac disease or grain sensitivities.
• You'll find quinoa at most health-food stores in its whole form, and occasionally as flakes or flour. Quinoa comes in a rainbow of colors, including red, brown, pink, orange, and black. Compared with white quinoa, the red variety-the second most common type in the United States-is nuttier and contains more fiber in each serving.
• Keep quinoa in an airtight container in a cool, dry cabinet (away from sunlight) for up to two years.
• In its unprocessed state, quinoa is coated with saponin, a bitter substance. Most quinoa has been "desaponized." However, it's still a good idea to rinse it under running water in a fine-mesh strainer before cooking to remove any remaining residue. To cook, combine 1 cup grains with 1 1/2 cups water and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 10 to 15 minutes (you will have 2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa).
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