Easy Quinoa Recipes | Quinoa Balls
These quinoa balls are one of those easy quinoa recipes you need for your meal prep day. They are amazing, tender, delicious and super tasty. You will have a perfect dinner in no time on your late working days!
I believe quinoa was the first superfood I’ve ever used. I mean a superfood other than spinach, salmon, pumpkin seeds… which were widely available in my childhood. I’ve already told you about my first clash with quinoa. By now, everyone, or almost everyone has heard about quinoa before and also experimented with it.
Today I would like to talk a bit deeper about how we can enjoy quinoa, because did you know it is also delicious in sweet preparations? quinoa’s nutritional properties, healthy benefits
What is quinoa
Quinoa is not a cereal, it’s actually a seed from the family as beets and spinach. It’s originally from The Andes region but now it also grows in Europe.
There are three types of quinoa: black, red and white. It has a lovely neutral flavour which makes it the perfect ingredient for nearly any dish you want to create. Although the colour ones have a little bolder and earthier flavour.
Nutrition facts & quinoa benefits
Since quinoa is a complete protein, containing all 9 essential amino acids. It’s therefore an excellent source of protein for vegans, and has twice protein than rice or barley. Quinoa is also a good source of lysine, an amino acid important for the formation of collagen which is significant for healthy skin.
It’s a great low-GI option because it’s high in dietary fibre therefore a slowly digested carbohydrate. Quinoa is also a good source of iron and magnesium.
How to cook quinoa
What I love about quinoa is that cook so quick, it doesn’t need soaking like beans or chickpeas, so you can have a healthy meal in no time.
The basic way of cooking quinoa is boiling it water, but also experiment with other liquids like broth or mylk, you will be amaze about the results.
When making quinoa, make sure to rinse it very well under cold water before adding to the pot, to remove any saponins (the compound that coats the seeds), responsable for its bitter taste.
To cook quinoa you will need 21/2 parts of liquid. And it will take about 20 minutes. It
What can we do with quinoa?
Quinoa is super versatile, use it as you would with any other grain.
It is great as a side dish on casseroles and stews, but also makes fantastic salads. It can be used for making burgers, pizza base and tinny balls like today’s recipe.
If you want to go a bit further, try them in sweet dishes. Use it in your breakfast porridges, or if it’s puffed quinoa, make crunchy granola or protein bars.
Quinoa Balls
This little balls are super tasty, delicious and perfect as snack, appetizer or a component of a Buddha bowl. Cook them with a homemade tomato sauce for an amazing vegetarian ‘meatball’ super.
Delicious and easy to make quinoa balls
- 1 small sweet potato roasted or pureed
- 50-75 grams spinach fresh or frozen
- 1 happy egg
- 50 grams grated parmesan
- 90 grams boiled quinoa
- 25 grams oat flour
- freshly cracked pepper
- salt
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Preheat the oven to 200ºC and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
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If using frozen spinach, desfrost and squeeze the excessed water. If using fresh spinach, wilt them in a hot pan a couple of minutes.
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In a big bowl, place the roasted sweet potato (peeled) or the puree, spinach, egg, grated parmesan, boiled quinoa, oat flour, pepper and salt. Mix well and make small balls with your hands.
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Place the quinoa balls in the prepared baking tray and bake 15 minutes. Turn them and bake other 10 minutes.
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Eat like an appetizer, serve them with hummus and other veggies or even in a plate with a homemade tomato sauce like you would do with meatballs.
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You can keep them in an air-tight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.