Quinoa Burgers and Cauliflower Pizza

I'm slacking a bit because I took off last Monday and made TWO meatless Monday meals and had the whole day to post, and just didn't make it to it. When I first went Gluten Free - I bought these "Qrunch" quinoa burgers and found them to be absolutely delicious! Ever since, I have been on the hunt for something similar and think I finally found it! While I didn't make the changes I listed, I will make them next time to deliver a flavor a little more to my liking.

         Rosie LOVES "Meatless Monday" but knows better than to beg...

For dinner I made cauliflower crusted pizza to aid in my gluten free lifestyle.  The crust was great and even Steve didn't seem to mind that it was a substitute for the real thing.  We did it "caprese" style with fresh tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella and then I sauted some spinach and onions to add some flavor.

Caprese Styled Cauliflower Pizza

Adapted from Skinny Mom

2 Cups uncooked, frozen cauliflower

1 Cup reduced fat mozzarella, shredded

1 egg, beat

1 tsp Oregano

1 tsp Basil

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp sea salt

1 c fresh spinach

1 small onion, sliced

Fresh Mozzarella - I used the pre-sliced fresh boccini and sliced them in half.

1/2 c fresh marinara

1-2 fresh tomatoes, sliced thin

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Microwave cauliflower for 8-10 minutes or until fully cooked.  Place in food processor and pulse until a rice-like consistency (I used my Ninja blender on "pulse" and that worked perfectly). Place cauliflower on paper towel and allow extra moisture to soak in.  In a medium bowl, mix together cauliflower, egg and cheese. Add oregano, basil, garlic and sea salt.  Mix well, ensuring the cheese has melted.  Cover a pizza sheet with parchment paper (it is important that you use parchment and nothing else "non-stick"). Spray generously with cooking spray. Spread cauliflower mixture into round shape starting from the outside and working your way inward being careful to spread it as thing as possible without breaking through.  If you start from the middle, it will tend to be thicker and will not crisp through as nicely! Cook for 20-22 minutes until "crust" is golden brown and bubbling. 

 Meanwhile, saute onions and spinach allowing spinach to wilt.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

 Once crust is browned, remove from oven and add ingredients - sauce, then tomatoes, then spinach and onion mixture and top with desired amount of fresh mozzarella. Turn oven to broil, cook until cheese is melted and slightly bubbling.

Qrunchy Quinoa Burgers

Adapted from: Chatelaine

Serving Size - 4

1/2 C uncooked quinoa (makes about 2 cups cooked)

1 tsp coconut oil

1 C coarsely grated zucchini

3/4 C coarsely grated carrots

1/2 C finely grated broccoli

1 small shallot, minced

1 garlic clove, minced

1 egg, beaten

3 tbsp corn starch or arrowroot powder

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Quickly brown quinoa in a fry pan until you can smell the aroma- this helps to really bring out the flavor of the quinoa. Remove and add to a fine strainer and rinse - quinoa has a bitter shell and rinsing helps eliminate that to again, bring out the flavor.  Cook according to package directions (most packages are for 1 cup of quinoa and 2 cups of water, since this is only  half a cup, use one cup of water OR cook 1 cup of quinoa and then measure out the 2 cooked cups - ya follow? In fry pan, heat the coconut oil.  Add in onions and allow to caramelize.  Add garlic and then vegetables in the following order: broccoli, carrots, zucchini - cook for several minutes or until all the vegetables are softened, add cooked quinoa and stir to combine.  Transfer to large bowl and add in the egg, corn starch (or arrowroot), salt and red pepper, stir until just combined.  Using 1/4 measuring cup, scoop in the mixture.  Heat oil, add mixture and form into patties.  Cook on each side allowing quinoa to brown (approximately 7 minutes/side).  These are best when served immediately as the quinoa has a great, crunchy texture.  However if you want to make them and reheat, I recommend reheating in the oven or in a pan - the microwave is fine but it just doesn't do the dish justice! Serve plain with a tahini sauce, or on a roll.