Quinoa Cakes and Massaged Kale Salad

I have a treat for you today- a recipe! This is super healthy, delicious and can be prepared ahead of time. All great things for a busy weeknight meal. Zack and I both love the combination of lemony kale salad and crispy quinoa cakes. We've made the quinoa a few times now, but the kale salad is a great addition. I imagine we'll also eat that on its own.

Quinoa Cakes, from Joy the Baker

1 cup raw quinoa

2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, beaten
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup grated parmesan or Gruyere cheese
1/3 cup coarsely chopped green olives
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoon olive oil

Place dry quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. Don't skip this step or the quinoa  will taste funky. 

Put rinsed quinoa, water and a pinch of salt in a pan. Bring to a boil then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature- this should yield about 3 cups cooked quinoa. 

In a large bowl, toss together onion, garlic, cheese, olives, parsley, lemon zest, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and cooled quinoa.  Add beaten eggs and stir.  Add water to thoroughly moisten mixture.  Quinoa should be slightly wet so it doesn’t dry out during cooking.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil.  

Form mixture into as many patties as you'd like. Cook on each side until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Add more olive oil to pan as needed. Put on a plate covered with foil while you cook the rest.

Serve warm with a small spinach salad, or with scrambled eggs.  Serve them any way you’d like.

Massaged Kale Salad, adapted from Food Network1/2 bunch of organic kale, stems removed and leaves finely chopped1 lemon, juicedDrizzle evooPinch of salt Fresh ground pepper to taste

Add all ingredients to a bowl. Massage the kale with your hands for about 3 minutes, until the kale looks wilted. 

Put kale on a plate and top with cherry tomatoes. Add quinoa cakes on top and enjoy !