QUINOA-AND-TURKEY PATTIES IN PITA WITH TAHINI SAUCE

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Quinoa-and-Turkey Patties in Pita with Tahini Sauce image

Categories     Sauce     Sandwich     turkey     Side     Fry     Quinoa     Simmer     Boil

Yield serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 1/4 cups water, or more as needed
1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
1 garlic clove
1/4 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
12 ounces ground turkey, preferably at least 7% fat
1/4 teaspoon plus 1 pinch ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon plus 1 pinch ground cumin
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
2 scallions, trimmed and finely chopped
Coarse salt
2 teaspoons neutral-tasting oil, such as canola or safflower, plus more if needed
6 lettuce leaves, torn into large pieces
1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
6 pitas (6-inch)

Steps:

  • Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add quinoa; return to a boil. Stir once, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until quinoa is tender but still chewy and has absorbed all the liquid, about 15 minutes. Fluff quinoa with a fork; let cool.
  • Meanwhile, process garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and remaining 1/4 cup water in a food processor until smooth. If mixture is too thick to pour, thin with more water. Transfer dressing to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate.
  • In a clean food processor, pulse turkey, allspice, cumin, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), mint, scallions, and 3/4 teaspoon salt until a smooth paste forms. Add quinoa; process until mixture comes together around the blade, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. With dampened hands, roll about 2 tablespoons quinoa mixture into a ball; flatten slightly, and place on a plate. Repeat with remaining mixture to make 24 patties.
  • Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium, until hot but not smoking. Working in batches, fry patties until cooked through, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer patties to a clean plate, and cover loosely with foil to keep warm. Add more oil to skillet between batches as necessary.
  • Divide lettuce, cucumber, and red onion evenly among pita breads. Top each with 4 quinoa patties, then drizzle each sandwich with about 1 tablespoon tahini dressing. Fold pitas over filling, and serve.
  • Nutrition Information
  • (Per Serving)
  • Calories: 434g
  • Saturated: 2.1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6.9g
  • Cholesterol: 32.5mg
  • Carbohydrates: 60g
  • Protein: 23g
  • Sodium: 380mg
  • Fiber: 5.1g

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