Quinoa Burgers

I tried this recipe at home. The patties were great. :) I didn't make the tahini (sesame seed paste) sauce, the the patties were flavorful without it.

Quinoa-Turkey Patties in Pita with Tahini

Serves 6

This is also delicious served with tzatziki, or mint chutney and Greek yogurt.

Tahini sauce:

1 garlic clove

¼ cup tahini

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

¼ cup water

Patties:

2 cups water, or more

1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained

12 ounces ground turkey

¼ teaspoon plus 1 pinch ground allspice

½ teaspoon plus 1 pinch ground cumin

Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint

2 scallions, finely chopped

Coarse salt

2 teaspoons canola or safflower oil, or more

6 lettuce leaves

1 English cucumber

1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced

6 pita breads

1. In a food processor, process tahini sauce ingredients until smooth. Chill.

2. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Add quinoa. Stir once, cover and reduce heat. Simmer until tender, but still chewy, about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork; let cool.

3. In a clean food processor, pulse turkey, spices, mint, scallions and ¾ teaspoon salt to a smooth paste. Add quinoa; process until mixture comes together around the blade. Roll into 24 balls; flatten slightly to form patties.

4. Heat oil in a large skillet. Working in batches, fry patties until cooked through.

5. Divide lettuce, cucumber and onion evenly among pita breads. Top each with 4 quinoa patties, drizzle with about 1 tablespoon tahini dressing. Fold pitas over filling and serve.

-- "Power Foods" by the editors of Whole Living Magazine (Clarkson Potter, 384 pp., $24.99)

Per serving: 434 calories, 9 g fat (2.1 g saturated), 32.5 mg cholesterol, 60 g carbohydrates, 23 g protein, 380 mg sodium, 5 g fiber.