Pita Tacos with Quinoa Bean Croquettes

Posted on Thursday, February 7, 2013

Every now and then I decide to forgo all planned recipes and wing it. The resulting concoction is either strangely weird and edible but not delightful or as is the case with these pita tacos, one of the best tasting dishes I've ever made. Guilt free too if you decide to skip the cheese!

Taco Ingredients

Whole wheat pita pockets

Handful of lettuce, chopped

1 avocado, sliced

Swiss cheese, sliced or shredded

1 lb. brussels sprouts, finely chopped

8oz. mushrooms

handful of cilantro

Spinach pesto [Recipe here]

Quinoa Bean Croquette Ingredients
1/2 cup quinoa
1 cup water

15 oz can of beans
1/4 cup oat flour
1/4 cup flax meal
4 Tbsp. bran
2 Cloves Garlic
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 Tbsp. fresh sage, finely chopped
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup nutritional flakes

Directions
Preheat oven to 400F
In a saucepan cook 1/2 cup of dried quinoa according to package directions. [1/2 cup quinoa in 1 cup water, bring to a boil and lower heat letting simmer until water has mostly evaporated and the quinoa has "sprouted."]

Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat. Add finely chopped brussels sprouts and mushrooms and cook stirring occasionally until they have reduced down and become a little golden in color. Remove from heat and set aside.

Into the bowl of food processor add the cooked quinoa, 1/2 can of beans, oat flour, flax meal, bran, garlic, olive oil, cumin, coriander, chili powder, sage, pepper and salt. Pulse until all ingredients are well mixed.

In a shallow bowl or plate pour 1/2 cup nutritional flakes. Shape the quinoa bean dough into balls the size of a rounded tablespoon. Roll them in nutritional flakes and place on baking sheet.

Bake at 400F for 12 minutes.

To Assemble:
Cut the pita pockets in half or make a slit on one side for a larger pita sandwich (whichever you prefer). Add a few slices of swiss cheese and warm on a baking pan in the oven for a few minutes so that the cheese is good and melted.