Moroccan Quinoa Patties with Cucumber, Yogurt and Mint

Spicy moroccan quinoa patties with harissa and feta. Served with cucumber, yogurt and mint. Vegetarian and gluten Free. Serves 4.

I’ve never been one to love things that are too brand new, except for maybe a pair of shoes and a toothbrush. I’m much more of the ‘it’s got character’ type. My husband often claims that I have a grandmother’s taste because I like retro cabinets, brown pottery and floral linens. I don’t mind. I’ll admit I have a major love affair with thrift stores.  I think I love them for the treasure hunt mostly, for the ‘you never know what you might find’ thrill. They are where I found my favorite plate that everyone always asks about, and the fifty shades of brown garlic pot in the picture below.

I think it’s a good reminder that we don’t all need spacious white kitchens or fancy equipment to produce a good meal. Being a good cook isn’t about joining some elite club or seeking out hard to find ingredients.  I guess sometimes I think that people can be intimidated by getting into the kitchen and I don’t want to play a role in that. I always think about what Micheal Pollan says about cooking with ingredients that your grandmother would recognize as real food, and I think this reaches far beyond the recipe as well.

So keep things simple. Keep things tidy and organized but don’t fret about it too much. Use what you have. Don’t feel guilty if you can’t afford to buy fancy ingredients or a vitamix. Frequent thrift stores to find jars and storage containers and a few funky things that make you smile. Create a space where you feel comfortable, where important tools are within reach and salt is easy to grab in a pinch. Trust in the process, I promise it will start to feel more and more like home. Don’t worry if it doesn’t come out right the first time or if you burn the bottom of the pot, because you know what – we all do too. Listen to music or your favorite podcast. The energy of the cook will make it’s way into the food – so don’t stress, make happy food.

Try. Learn. Do it again. The kitchen never asked you to be perfect first.


This post is sponsored by Casablanca Foods / Mina – the essence of culinary Morocco, where culture is passed down through generations via stories and recipes. All opinons are, as always, my own. Thank you for supporting those that support this space.

Spicy moroccan quinoa patties with harissa and feta. Served with cucumber, yogurt and mint. Vegetarian and gluten Free. Serves 4.Spicy moroccan quinoa patties with harissa and feta. Served with cucumber, yogurt and mint. Vegetarian and gluten Free. Serves 4.Spicy moroccan quinoa patties with harissa and feta. Served with cucumber, yogurt and mint. Vegetarian and gluten Free. Serves 4.Spicy moroccan quinoa patties with harissa and feta. Served with cucumber, yogurt and mint. Vegetarian and gluten Free. Serves 4.


MOROCCAN QUINOA PATTIES WITH CUCUMBER, YOGURT AND MINT

Harissa is no stranger to this site. In fact for the longest time it was the only real “hot sauce” I ever used. Different brands of harissa will offer varying heat, but I love the fresh flavor of Mina harissa which is why I have partnered with them to bring you some moroccan inspired meals. You can check out a few more of my favorite recipes using harissa here, here and here.

I love the smoky, spicy flavors of these quinoa patties. They are crisp and salty and when served with yogurt and cucumber they make a fresh and satisfying vegetarian meal. I’ve always been a little intimidated by cast iron – so if you’re just getting started here are some good tips.

Gluten Free. Makes 8-10 patties.

Ingredients

Quinoa Patties

1 tablespoon coconut oil, plus extra for frying
3 green onions, white and green parts separated
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 clove garlic, finely grated with a microplane
3/4 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
1.5 cups water
1/2 cup chickpea flour
3 eggs
1.5 tablespoons harissa paste (or more or less depending on desired heat)
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
100g / 1 cup crumbled sheep’s milk feta
3/4 cup flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

Salad

1 long english cucumber, sliced or ribboned
1/2 cup thick natural yogurt
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Lemon zest
Salt + Pepper

Instructions

Heat coconut oil in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Thinly slice the white parts of the onions, add them to the sauce pot and sauté until soft, about 1 minute. Add in the spoked paprika and cumin and stir to coat the onions. Sauté onions in spices for another minute. Add in the grated garlic and stir, then add in the quinoa. Stir the quinoa over medium heat for another minute to toast slightly, then add in the water and a pinch of salt. Turn up the heat and bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover with lid and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Remove lid and fluff with a fork. Allow to cool.

In a mixing bowl whisk together eggs, chickpea flour, harissa and salt. Stir in crumbled feta and chopped parsley. Add in the spiced quinoa and stir until well combined. Place batter in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.

Heat a tablespoon of coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Using either a 1/4 cup or 1/3 cup measuring cup (depending on the desired size), scoop out a portion of the batter and drop onto the hot skillet. Using a spatula or your fingertips to spread out the batter and flatten the tops.  Fry patties for 2-3 minutes minutes on each side or until golden brown. Continue in batches for the rest of the batter. I like to place the hot patties on a wire cooling rack while I am frying the remainder of the batter.

Thinly slice the cucumber and mint leaves. Add to a a bowl and squeeze over lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste and toss to combine.

Place a dollop of yogurt in the center or each bowl. Top with warm quinoa patties and cucumber salad. Garnish with lemon zest and cracked black pepper. Serve with extra harissa on the side.

Patties will keep in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days or can be stored in the freezer.


Let me in on your kitchen creations – tag your photos #happyheartedkitchen and share the love!

27 Comments

  • Reply
    Sarah | Well and Full
    May 10, 2017 at 10:11 am

    Beautiful post, as always :) I love Mina harissa – I love mixing it with tahini and dipping pita chips in it :)

    • Reply
      Jodi
      May 11, 2017 at 8:00 am

      Oh thank you, Sarah. I love the sound of that easy dip, two of my favorite ingredients!

  • Reply
    Matt
    May 10, 2017 at 11:42 am

    These quinoa patties are really delicious! I love that smoky taste.

    • Reply
      Jodi
      May 11, 2017 at 8:01 am

      Thanks Matt! I’m so pleased you made the recipe and enjoyed the patties. Smoked paprika is such a good spice!

  • Reply
    thalia
    May 10, 2017 at 5:54 pm

    so beautiful. i just adore your photography and words! lovely recipe too Xx

    • Reply
      Jodi
      May 11, 2017 at 8:02 am

      Oh thank you, Thalia! I’m such a big fan of your work so your comment really makes me smile. Hope you’re doing well x

  • Reply
    Sara @ Cake Over Steak
    May 11, 2017 at 11:52 am

    I love this sentiment! Thanks for the reminder. ;-)

    • Reply
      Jodi
      May 11, 2017 at 6:08 pm

      Thank you, Sara. Happy you got something from it. xx

  • Reply
    Christiann Koepke
    May 11, 2017 at 1:19 pm

    woah these look SO good. definitely need to try these asap!!!

    • Reply
      Jodi
      May 11, 2017 at 6:10 pm

      Oh I hope you do, Christiann! Have a wonderful weekend x

  • Reply
    Abby @ Heart of a Baker
    May 12, 2017 at 10:00 am

    I don’t know why I haven’t used harissa in the past, but now I feel like I really need to! These patties look like something that would go right into our go-to dinner plan, so I’m super into these :)

    • Reply
      Jodi
      May 12, 2017 at 3:31 pm

      Thank you Abby! I love making a big batch of these and then reheating them throughout the week – easy and delicious! Now go get your hands on some harissa! x

  • Reply
    Anna
    May 12, 2017 at 12:43 pm

    Love this post, Jodes! Just what I needed to hear xo

    • Reply
      Jodi
      May 12, 2017 at 3:33 pm

      Oh great! That makes me so happy, Anna! Go enjoy your kitchen! x

  • Reply
    Maya | Spice + Sprout
    May 13, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    Gorgeous post as always :) I am also a thrifter, and it’s nice to hear you talk about the unnecessary purchases like a vitamix or expensive powders. I feel like the blogging world is often full of those things, and they don’t align well with my lifestyle (or budget lol). I am such a believer in fresh, real food and a variety of spices/ flavour enhancers. It’s all you really need, I think. xo

    • Reply
      Jodi
      May 14, 2017 at 8:10 am

      Thank you, Maya. A lot of those things don’t align with my values either – and I definitely agree with you that a good meal starts with the right produce and knowing what to do with it. I tend to overcomplicate things in order to come up with next best recipe for so and so, but in reality that’s not how we eat at home so why would I expect others to want to too? Focusing on keeping it simple. So excited for your move west! Can’t wait to hear all about it! x

  • Reply
    Shelley
    May 13, 2017 at 8:34 pm

    Love this Jode, and your new kitchen looks just perfect, and totally charming. Can’t wait to cook together in it. Much love girl xx

    • Reply
      Jodi
      May 14, 2017 at 8:11 am

      Can’t wait for you to come visit either Shelley! We can drink tea and eat lots of bread and chit chat about all the things. See you soon xx

  • Reply
    Caras Kitchen
    May 13, 2017 at 9:14 pm

    such a beautifully written post filled with all kinds of good vibes! I love hirassa

    • Reply
      Jodi
      May 14, 2017 at 8:12 am

      Thank you, Cara! Always happy to meet a fellow harissa lover! x

  • Reply
    Phyllis
    May 16, 2017 at 7:19 pm

    This recipe sounds awesome, I can’t wait to try it! Whenever I make quinoa patties they always turn out so bland, so I can’t wait to follow your advice.

    xo
    Phyllis
    http://desgeulasse.com/

    • Reply
      Jodi
      May 17, 2017 at 7:35 am

      Hi Phyllis! Thank you so much for stopping by. These patties are anything but bland, I’d love to know what you think if you give them a try! Have a great week x

  • Reply
    Sherrie
    May 19, 2017 at 12:06 am

    Thrifting is my favorite thing to do. Of all time. I love this sentiment, Jodi. xx

    • Reply
      Jodi
      May 22, 2017 at 7:20 am

      It’s all about the treasure hunt. Thanks for saying hi, Sherrie. xx

  • Reply
    Daniela @foodrecipeshq
    June 11, 2017 at 11:50 am

    My kitchen is very modern but so so small! Clearly, it does not tick all the boxes but I agree with you, if you can organise it and keep it tidy, every space is the perfect one :) BTW, this is beautiful CREATIVE recipe!

    • Reply
      Jodi
      June 14, 2017 at 9:12 am

      I couldn’t agree more, Daniela! I’ve worked and lived in some tiny spaces and it’s all about how you feel in the space that counts. Thanks for saying hi! x

  • Reply
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