So I’m a mom of a toddler. Every day I have to come up with ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner… AND I have to do that with a 7 month old demanding my attention at the same time. I love cooking, but that can be quite exhausting. Last week, my toddler had a hot dog three days in a row. I don’t really like to give in to the “mom guilt” but I did feel kind of guilty for that.
So if you’re like me and currently wondering what to make for lunch, here is a quick and easy recipe and my toddler LOVED it!
Here’s what you’ll need…
1 cup of quinoa cooked. I use the rainbow kind. You can look up several ways to cook it, but I cook mine in chicken stock; I think it adds a little more flavor. If you’re cooking 1 cup of quinoa, you will need 2 cups of chicken stock. Rinse your quinoa before cooking it and then bring the chicken stock to a boil and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. 1 cup of uncooked quinoa will yield 3 cups of cooked quinoa. I usually just make extra patties and freeze them to reheat later for a quick lunch, or I keep some of the quinoa out to serve at dinner.
1 zucchini
1 carrot
1/2 cup of bread crumbs or cracker crumbs (whatever you have on hand)
2 eggs
1/2 cup of shredded cheese
While you’re cooking your quinoa, shred up a zucchini and a couple of carrots. I always take my shredded zucchini and put it on a paper towel, wrap it up and squeeze all the extra moisture out. Otherwise, it makes your patties kind of runny.
Combine the zucchini, carrots, quinoa, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of bread crumbs, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese in a bowl and mix up well.
Form the mix into patties that are about 1 inch across. Heat about a tablespoon of your favorite kind of cooking oil in a pan. Place the patties in the pan and cook on each side for about 4 minutes.
I like to put the patties on a plate that is lined with a paper towel to get rid of some of the excess oil.
Serve up with some of your toddler’s favorite fruit, and enjoy some yourself!
This recipe can be mixed up to use any kind of vegetable or different spices or types of cheese. It’s super versatile and a big hit with everyone!!
I don’t have toddlers but I’m trying those on my picky eating elementry aged kids!! I love quinoa!
This recipe is amazing! My partner, my toddler, and my dogs all loved it!