Quinoa, Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Burgers

There's a running joke in my family, I cannot cook. My parents would never ask me to step into the kitchen, if I ever offer to make anything they have to issue health hazard issues. I've never been a natural cook and I've never found any enjoyment in cooking whatsoever. However, with the new year and with starting university, I've realised I can't live my life offering washing up duties in exchange for being cooked for. So, in a bid to encourage my healthy life, I've recently taken more of an interest in cooking and this is a delicious, meal full of all the goodness in life! And if I can make it, you definitely can. 

To make 2 Large 'Burgers' You Need:
1 cube of vegetable stock
1 clove of Garlic
1/4 white onion
1 large sweet potato
1/2 butternut squash
1 cup of quinoa
1 tablespoon tahini
Coconut oil to fry
Coriander or herbs of your choice
Salt and pepper for seasoning


Firstly, bring 3 cups of water to boil on the hob and pour in the quinoa, after 5 minutes, add the vegetable stock for flavour before leaving to cook for another 15 minutes. Meanwhile, peel and chop your butternut squash and sweet potato and put into the oven on 200 degrees. Cook for 20 minutes, or until they soften up.

Whilst the quinoa and butternut squash/sweet potato are cooking, finely dice the onion and garlic and fry in the coconut oil until it turns translucent. Put to the side and wait for the rest to cook. Once everything is cooked, drain the quinoa and place on a plate to cool along with the sweet potato and butternut squash. Make sure you don't turn off the oven or you'll have to reheat it when you cook the burgers.


You should have less quinoa in yours, I was doing this all through trial and error, so over compensated a bit! Once all are cool enough, mash the sweet potato and butternut squash together in a large mixing bowl until there are no lumps. Add the onion and garlic, the coriander, the salt and pepper and the tahini to the mix and continue to mould together (I used my hands at this point)! Before finally putting in the quinoa to bind the ingredients.


Once everything is combined and the ingredients is fully mixed, separate the mixture into two balls and place onto the baking tray. Using your hand press down and create a thick burger shape before putting it in the oven on 180 degrees, for about 20 minutes. Half way through, flip over so it's cooked on both sides! It may need a little more time, the end result should be a slightly deeper orange colour and the texture will harden so they don't fall apart.

before
Once they're out leave to cool for a couple of minutes whilst you prepare a mixed leaf or rocket salad and finally your meal is complete! I had one for dinner last night and one for lunch today both with salads. Today I decided to put a bit of feta and olives into my salad and it tasted amazing! I think next time depending on healthy I'm feeling I will add some feta to the burgers for taste. 
 
This is the perfect meal if you're wanting to liven up a vegetarian or vegan diet, but as I mentioned it's completely up to interpretation! I hope you enjoyed my first ever recipe, if you'd told me a year ago I'd be writing a recipe post I would have laughed right at you! 



Have a lovely weekend!

Ciao for Now!
x

7 comments

  1. They look amazing - will have to try these! xx

    Suki and the City

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  2. These look great, always looking for new veggie recipes to try, and this doesn't look too tricky for me!

    Bethan Likes

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  3. Mmmmm these sound delicious, will have to try them out some time, thanks for sharing!

    nimblenote.blogspot.com

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  4. Oh, yum! These look great! As a vegetarian who hardly eats vegetables, it's rare I find a recipe I'll actually be keen to try.
    On top of that, I'm in the same boat, hun: "Christie, get out of the kitchen before you burn the house down!" -.- Sooo, I never cook. Don't even care, I'll be giving these a go fo' sho', yell at me all you want, mum. #ThugLife

    Much love. xx
    Christie's Take on Life

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  5. Ooh, I'll have to give these a go! I'm on Weightwatchers at the moment and these should be lovely and low in points, just my kind of burgers!

    Rachel x
    The Inelegant Wench

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  6. Hi Alice! Don't worry I really can't cook either haha, this looks like such a lovely meal I'm gonna definitely try it out soon. Since I love your blog so much and your style of writing always captivates me I've nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award! You can find all the information here: http://nabsticle.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/sisterhood-of-world-bloggers-award.html

    Let me know when you've done it and be sure to send me a link!

    -Nabeela x

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  7. I think you did a great job for your first recipe post Alice! I've never tried Quinoa but I think I might give it a try sometime!
    Great post! Can't wait to read what you have next!! :)
    xx
    Kenzie
    Behindhazeleyes06.blogspot.com

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