This is a recipe for mini quinoa and feta bites with meat eaters in mind. This is just a flavour packed, juicy vegetarian mini burger that works well for meal prep, lunch boxes, lunch on the go or as a topping to a well dressed bowl of salad. Easy to make and ready in 15 minutes!
(I also veer off and talk about why this week has been such a challenging week and why that has meant delays in other areas).
Quick, Convenient and Easy Bites
Although I have changed my diet considerably to reflect my preferred mainly vegetarian palette, I am yet to fully convince my family to do the same. So I do a lot of batch cooking. That is why easy, convenient, make ahead veggie meals come in reply handy. I don't like the idea of making 2 - 4 separate meals a day. I love to cook but I am not a slave to my kitchen!
Feeling Overwhelmed
I have missed a post this week and that is because I have had so much going on. P.s. Feel free to skip to the recipe if this bit doesn't interest you. (Notes for the recipe will be repeated in the recipe card below).
Firstly, you may have noticed that the website has undergone a pretty major makeover! I am so happy with most of the changes. Like.. absolutely thrilled because it has been such a big problem for so long. A problem that I couldn't invest time nor money in for way too long. There are some updates that are still needed to make it all look how it should but overall I am pleased with the results.
Alongside that, there is still a lot of work going on,to the back end of the website and my technical know how is pretty much zero. Anything technical frustrates me but I have surprised myself with the little I do know recently. 😆
This week, I got so overwhelmed with the amount of things on the list of things to fix on the site, that I had to take a break from it all. Yesterday, I got a large sheet of A3 paper and noted down all the website developments and issues that had occurred just this week. I listed 20 BIG items (I think). No wonder I had gotten so overwhelmed. This is not my area of expertise and have no interest in the back end of the website at all. It is there to serve a function.
The more I am learning, the more that is then added to my to do list. Also with websites, I find that when you make one change an additional 10 actions appear out of nowhere. I guess I was really really naive to the inner workings of a website.
I mean, when I started this site it was an outlet. I was using it as an escape from some pretty major crippling depression and anxiety. Baking/Cooking and writing gave me a little brain space and helped me take small steps forward. I never even thought about the inner workings of a website.
On that note, as some of you may be aware, I have also been working on another little project, around self care. I am working with a mentor to help me develop something further down the line (That in itself is requiring a lot of work) but the front end? I am still figuring it all out. There is so much to do and I REALLY care about it getting it right, so I have added a lot of pressure to myself by trying to do loads of it all in one go.
The best thing that happened this week though? Getting a really nice complement from a LEADING therapist. Someone who is known for her work and someone who I really admire. I will be sharing my learnings from our conversations at some point but can't until the time is right. She is helping me to work through some struggles at the moment. She has also helped me to understand so very much about why I have been feeling the way I have around my abilities etc.
All the above has left me feeling absolutely drained. Seeing it written down, helps me to understand why. I am getting homework from various places first of all and the website alone needs a full time administrator until the back end is sorted.
To get through it, I have had to be a little more gentle with myself and make sure that I am incorporating more self care into my day, as well as making sure that I am checking in with myself regularly. I have to make sure I do that because it is so easy for me to slip back into over working and not taking a minute for myself. Admittedly I did forget for a couple of days and the ensuing gigantic panic attack, reminded me that a) There is only so much I can do b) My body has a right over me and C) I needed to take a step back and give myself some time to relax and breathe.
It was only after I did that, that I was able to brainstorm everything that needed doing for the site and the self care project. A bit of rest always always works. Something my mum told me when I used to make and sell Tasbeehs/Jewellery.
Veggie Bites
Back to what I should be talking about..
I think the sooner we get rid of the idea that a veggie burger should taste meaty, the better. I am not really into the impossible burgers. It actually freaks me out. As clever as it is. A vegetarian burger/bite shouldn't taste like a beef burger. Yes mushrooms can add some umami and meaty flavour and texture but I prefer my vegetarian food to taste vegetarian. It feels like what people are saying is that meat is the most desirable food and all vegetarian food should attempt to recreate that. I don't agree with that.
I mean, this recipe is pretty yummy with a golden crust on the outside and a lovely moist interior that is not soggy.
These DELICIOUS bites get a flavour boost from spring onions and feta.
The secret to the best vegetarian burgers or bites
Pan fry or oven bake vegetables/beans to dry them out slightly. In this recipe there isn't much of either but the advantage of pan frying veg beforehand is that:
- The flavour of the veg usually intensifies.
- Removes excess water.
- Improves the overall texture. I don't like baby food/mashed veg texture in burgers and this bite doesn't have that going on.
For the vegetables, I used spring onions only.
As for the grains, I use quinoa because you can buy it cooked and it makes life easier for me which is always a bonus. I haven't tried it with any other grain yet so can't really advise on whether or not it will work with them. I think almost cooked white rice and brown rice would work.
No blending required
The BEST thing about this recipe is that there is no blending required. You don't need to get the blender out (and then wash all the parts). Texture is key in this veggie bite. A bite of some veg and a little feta crumb is not a bad thing. I am not looking to make a gloopy/gooey burger/bite.
Leave space in the pan
When we overcrowd the pan, the mixture steams rather then fries. Making for a soggy burger/bite. 5 is the max I would put in a pan at a time. You will get 10 - 12 out of this recipe.
To get a golden crust
A medium low heat ensures that the bites cos through without burning the crust. Starting on a low heat and moving up to medium works better, then starting out really high and then trying to turn it down whilst the crust burns. (I may have done this once).
Skimping on oil/butter doesn't work either because there is no fat from meat to work with here so it is needed.
Variations
Chives are always a good idea. I love them and you can replace some of the Coriander for some chives. The same applies to Dill which I did use a little of here.
Small Red Onion or Shallots will work in place of the Spring Onions
Parmesan or Cheddar (Mature or otherwise) works beautifully.
Parsley or Basil can be used instead of Coriander but I prefer Coriander.
Plain Flour can be used to replace Gram flour. As can bread crumbs.
Adding 1 grated carrot works well. This would need to be pan fried with the spring onions and more flour will likely be needed.
The mixture should be wet enough so it holds together when you make patties, but it shouldn’t be so wet that it gets stuck to your hands. If the mixture is too wet, add more flour.
The process
Chop vegetables and crush garlic.
Heat the oil/butter in a large pan over medium heat.
Add the onions, salt and pepper, coriander, dill (if using), chilli flakes, smoked paprika, cumin and garlic. Fry for 5 minutes. 
Whisk the eggs in a bowl and add the quinoa, feta and flour. Mix together thoroughly before adding the onion mix.
Bring together with your hands and divide into 10 - 12 round, 1 cm thick bites. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Bring together with your hands and divide into 10 - 12 round, 1 cm thick bites. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Heat oil and fry 3 minutes each side over medium/low heat.
And there it is! The most delicious quinoa and feta bites with just a little crunch and lovely texture throughout.
It’s everything a veggie bite should be – it’s satisfying, it’s juicy and most importantly of all, it’s delicious! – Safira
MORE REALLY GREAT VEGETARIAN RECIPES:
- Vegan/Vegetarian Healthy Manchow Soup – Indo Chinese
- The Best Vegan Salad Recipe
- Veggie Coconut Curry Noodle Soup
**lastly, if you make this recipe, do leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! i love to hear from you guys and it helps me to understand what you like and provide content that you enjoy!**
Quinoa and Feta Bites
Ingredients
- 2 - 3 tablespoon Oil or Butter
- 4 Spring Onions sliced finely
- Handful Coriander leaved and stems
- 2 tablespoon Dill leaves (Optional)
- Salt and Pepper
- Pinch Chilli Flakes
- ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika Optional
- ½ teaspoon Cumin Powder
- 4 Garlic Cloves crushed
- 2 Eggs
- 50 g Gram Flour
- 540 g Quinoa cooked (I use Merchant Gourmet)/(Equal to 200g uncooked if making fresh)/Around 3 cups cooked Quinoa
- 120 g Feta crumbled
Instructions
- Heat the oil or butter in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the onions, salt and pepper, coriander, dill (if using), chilli flakes, smoked paprika, cumin and garlic. Fry for 5 minutes.
- Whisk the eggs in a bowl and add the quinoa, feta and flour. Mix together thoroughly before adding the onion mix.
- Bring together with your hands and divide into 10 - 12 round, 1 cm thick bites. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Heat the remaining oil/butter in a pan over medium/low heat. Fry bites for 3 minutes each side. Remember not to overcrowd the pan. 4 - 5 at a time works best.
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