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Quinoa Wrapped Meatballs

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  • Prep 20 min
  • Total 40 min
  • Ingredients 15
  • Servings 4
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Morena Cuadra My idea of watching what you eat is consuming all kinds of food, including meat and cereal, but in moderate portions. Here's a good example: meatballs wrapped in a thin layer of colorful quinoa. This dish allows for many variations, including stuffing the meatballs into pita bread to make a sandwich with lots of lettuce and tomato. I guarantee it's delicious, and you will feel full for a few hours. Quinoa is a seed that originated in the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes. Fortunately, it does not contain gluten, which makes it perfect for anyone who may have problems with wheat.
by Qué Rica Vida Cocina
Updated Feb 6, 2014
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • 1 teaspoon of lime zest (1/2 lime)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 slice of bread, soaked in water
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup queso fresco, cut into cubes
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • Tomato sauce (optional)

Directions

  •  
    1
    Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  •  
    2
    In a skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Fry the onions and garlic for 3-5 minutes, or until it's very tender.
  •  
    3
    Transfer to a bowl with the ground beef. Season with salt, cayenne, cumin, cinnamon powder and grated lime zest. Combine well.
  •  
    4
    Add an egg, the previously soaked and well-drained bread and the Worcestershire sauce. Combine well until you have a very homogeneous mixture.
  •  
    5
    Form small, walnut-sized balls and insert a cheese cube into the center of each ball.
  •  
    6
    Dip the meatballs into the beaten egg and then roll in the cooked quinoa. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  •  
    7
    Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked and golden brown.
  •  
    8
    Serve the meatballs over salad, and sprinkle with some tomato sauce, if you wish.

Expert Tips

  • tip 1
    If you wish, you can fry the meatballs, but if you bake them in the oven, they won't be as greasy and will taste just as good.
  • tip 2
    Use white quinoa or combine it with red or black quinoa to add more color.
  • tip 3
    Substitute amaranth (kiwicha) for quinoa.

Nutrition Information

No nutrition information available for this recipe

More About This Recipe

  • Morena Cuadra My idea of watching what you eat is consuming all kinds of food, including meat and cereal, but in moderate portions. Here's a good example: meatballs wrapped in a thin layer of colorful quinoa. This dish allows for many variations, including stuffing the meatballs into pita bread to make a sandwich with lots of lettuce and tomato. I guarantee it's delicious, and you will feel full for a few hours. Quinoa is a seed that originated in the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes. Fortunately, it does not contain gluten, which makes it perfect for anyone who may have problems with wheat.
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