Quinoa Cakes with Smoked Salmon

These are GREAT on top of a green salad! ~Tiffany

Quinoa Cakes with Smoked Salmon

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups water
• 3/4 cup quinoa 
• 8 ounces smoked wild Alaskan salmon, diced
• 2 large eggs plus 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup coarse dry breadcrumbs, or substitute dry gluten free quinoa flakes
• 1/2 cup finely chopped scallions
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh dill, plus small sprigs for garnish
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 6 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

****You could even shreds zucchini into these!  I use a cheese grater.

Top with

• 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions

1. Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer, cover and cook until the water is absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl and spread out to cool, about 15 minutes.
2. To prepare lemon topping:  Combine lemon zest and lemon juice in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.  The original recipe included sour cream to top with this, but I removed it.  
3. To prepare quinoa cakes: Add salmon, eggs, breadcrumbs or quinoa flakes, scallions, chopped dill, lemon zest and pepper to the quinoa. Using your hands, thoroughly combine and squeeze the mixture to bring it together. Using 2 rounded tablespoons of the mixture for each and keeping your hands damp, form 32 small cakes, about 3/4 inch thick and 2 inches wide, pressing firmly to help them hold together. Place the cakes on a large baking sheet and/or a large plate. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 6 hours).
4. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Reduce heat to medium. Gently add about one-third of the cakes and cook, carefully turning once with a spatula, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Repeat twice more, wiping out the pan between batches, if necessary, and reducing the heat if the pan gets too hot. Serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with 1 1/2 teaspoons each lemon sour cream and a sprig of dill, if desired