About:

These are minty high protein, low fat bite sized balls. Peppers and onions add crunchiness in the bites and sauces makes it retain the moisture.

Health Benefits:

Quinoa is gluten free with a good balance of all eight essential amino acids; it is a good choice for vegetarians.

Quinoa is also high in fibre and has a low-GI, beneficial for keeping blood sugar levels stable; it is also an ideal grain for diabetics. It is one of the most nutrient rich grains being a good source of iron, Vitamin B & E. It is a “super food” and an amazing winter energizer.

So try this veggie quinoa minty balls with salad/rolls or pasta.

Yields: 10-12balls
Preparation time:25 minutes
Baking time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients:

• Quinoa-1/2cup
• Water 1 1/4cup
• Fresh mint leaves-10-15
• Finely chopped capsicum-1/2
• Finely chopped onion-1/2
• Salt- to taste
• Oil-2tsp+for brushing
• Soya sauce-1tbsp
• Vinegar-1tsp
• Paprika-1/2tsp
• Garlic powder-1tsp
• Tomato paste/sauce-3tbsp

For coating:

• Corn starch-2tbsp
• Any milk-3-4tbsp
• Toasted soya bran-1/4cup

Procedure:

• Rinse quinoa well and soak for 1hour.
• After 1hour drain and bring the water to boil in a medium pot over high heat. Add quinoa, lower heat and simmer, cover and cook.
• As soon as water is absorbed, turn off heat but leave covered.
• The steam will continue to cook the quinoa, resulting in fluffy quinoa grains.
• Heat oil in the pan; Add chopped onions, peppers and saute for 3-4minutes.
• Add garlic powder, mint leaves, paprika,soya sauce, tomato sauce/puree and saute for a minute
• Then add cooked quinoa, salt mix well until heated through.
• Turn off the flame and allow it to cool down before making balls.
• pre-heat the oven at 180deg, line and grease the baking tray/oven proof dish and set aside.
• Bowl 1: dissolve corn starch in milk and set aside
• Bowl 2: toasted soya bran and set aside

For balls:

• Once the quinoa mixture cools down, roll into equal size balls and roll in the corn flour-milk mixture in bowl 1 and then roll in bowl 2 (toasted soya flakes) and place on the lined baking tray/dish
• Repeat the same with rest of the balls.
• Spray/brush over the top with some olive oil and then place the tray in the oven
• Bake until golden (approx. 25-30minutes)
• Remove from oven, allow to cool slightly and enjoy with mint sauce/ketchup.

Note:

• Spices can be varied as per the taste
• Baking time may vary as per the oven so keep an eye while baking

I am bringing this to Annie’s VVLP#10; Angie’s FF #32