Quinoa And Butternut Squash Cakes

Three Sisters Bake

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/quinoa-and-butternut-squash-cakes • Posted by Hardie Grant

These are really good served with a big salad, homemade mayo and a little lime wedge to squeeze over the top. SERVES 4 (2 PER PERSON)

You will need

200 g Quinoa , rinsed until the water runs clear 1 kg Butternut Squash (pumpkin), peeled, halved, seeds removed and cut into 5-cm- (2-in-) chunks 3 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 tsp Dried Chilli Flakes 20 g Unsalted Butter 2 Small Shallots , finely diced 1 Red bell Pepper , halved, stalk removed, seeded and finely diced 2 Garlic cloves, crushed 2 tbsp Roughly chopped Tarragon leaves 1 tsp Salt ½ tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper 150 g Ground Almonds 75 g Flaked Almonds Creme Fraiche or Homemade Mayo to serve 1 Lime , cut into wedges, to serve

Project Budget

Time

Difficulty

Description

These are really good served with a big salad, homemade mayo and a little lime wedge to squeeze over the top. SERVES 4 (2 PER PERSON)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 190°c (375°f/Gas 5).

2. Bring 400 ml (14 fl oz) lightly salted water to the boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the quinoa, lower the heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender but with still a little bite to it. Set aside to cool.

3. Place the butternut squash chunks in a deep roasting tin, coat with 2 teaspoons of the oil and sprinkle with the dried chilli flakes. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, or until the squash is tender, tossing the chunks halfway through the cooking time.

4. Meanwhile, melt half the butter in a frying pan on a medium heat and sauté the shallots until soft and golden. Add the red pepper and sauté for a further 5 minutes, until soft. Add the garlic and cook for a minute, then remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool.

5. Remove the butternut squash from the oven. Mash together while it is still hot and leave to cool.

6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, mashed squash, onion mixture, tarragon, salt, pepper and ground almonds. Divide and shape the mixture into 8 patties.

7. Spread the flaked almonds on a clean surface. Roll the edges of the quinoa cakes in the flaked almonds to coat.

8. Heat the remaining oil and butter in a large, heavy-based frying pan on a medium-high heat. Add the cakes (4 at a time if possible), and fry for 4–5 minutes on each side until they are thoroughly heated through and golden brown on the outside. Turn each cake onto its edge in the pan, rolling it to toast all the almond flakes.

9. Serve warm with a dollop of crème fraÎche or mayo and a wedge of lime.