Salmon quinoa cakes

Hiiiii 😀 How are you? Thank you so much for your lovely comments this morning. I’m very lucky to have ya’ll hang out with me during this funky limbo phase. <3 At least the end is in sight!!

To meet the fam for bfast, I decided to wear a dress from a very fancy schmancy French boutique.

me

I’d tell you the name of the store, but I can’t remember how to pronounce or spell it. It’s something like Tar Jay. Hahah

B-fast was AMAZING, and afterwards we hit up my favorite store ever

world market

(World Market! Picked up some blog dishware and goodies for the Pilot’s Easter basket)

and Costco.

costco

(LOVE the hustle and bustle of Costco on Sundays. Shopping frenzies excite me)

We were going to go to Bed, Bath and Beyond, but there wasn’t time 😉

Snack was an amazeball:

ballz

and for lunch I decided to make a new creation.

salmon

Salmon Quinoa Cakes!

I’ve always been a huge fan of crab cakes, and thought it would be fun to make a cake featuring two of my all-time favorite healthy ingredients.

Random trivia: Did you know that quinoa isn’t actually a grain? It’s a seed 😀

I’ll share the recipe with you guys, but it’s not quite perfect yet. The cakes were very fragile and didn’t cook very easily, but still tasted delicious.

burger

Cook 1 frozen salmon burger patty and 1/4 C quinoa at the same time. Trader Joe’s has awesome wild salmon burgers and I’ve also seen them at Costco and Sam’s Club.

When they’re each cooked and slightly cool, add to your food processor, along with 1 t Dijon mustard (I used 2 t), 1/2 chopped red pepper, sea salt, pepper, cayenne, 1 egg white and a green fresh herb of choice (I rolled with chives but parsley would be lovely). Pulse in the food processor until well combined, but still has some texture.

mix

Set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so the mixture can set.

Separate the mixture into patties and cook on medium heat until they’re done, OR pan sear them, transfer to a baking sheet at bake for about 20 minutes at a lower heat (325). I rolled with the pan method, but it took forever (around 5 min per side)

Well, worth the wait, though 😉

burger (2)

Some of my other uses for quinoa:

-For breakfast

-In muffin tops

Tabbouleh

-With the classic foodgasm combo

Just finished feasting and am about to roll over to afternoon yoga 🙂

Enjoy your night and I’ll see ya in the morning!

xoxo

Gina

Something to talk about: Any unique uses for quinoa? And shopping frenzies: do you avoid them, or embrace them? 🙂

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50 Comments

  1. lauren alysse on April 17, 2011 at 7:27 pm

    so excited to try this gina! thanks for the recipe!

  2. The Teenage Taste on April 17, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    I tried quinoa for the first time a few weeks ago and now I am in love with it! I bought a 5 lb. bag at Whole Foods and I’m already almost finished with it! 😛

  3. Brittany (Eating Bird Food) on April 17, 2011 at 7:32 pm

    Those patties look delish. They been out of stock of the salmon patties at my TJs for a few weeks so hopefully they come back soon.

    I love quinoa and have been experimenting with having it different ways for breakfast. I also have a recipe for sweet potato quinoa cakes that are tasty. It’s the perfect “grain”.

  4. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat on April 17, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    I love Costco! I haven’t been in forever but recently realized I’m rich in Aeroplan points so I cashed in some for a membership. Once my card arrives, I’ll be all over those shopping frenzies! Your salmon quinoa cakes sound amazing! I love having quinoa for breakfast too. I made apple pie breakfast quinoa a little while ago and ohmygoodness it was so good! 🙂 http://bit.ly/efIjfD

  5. Sara on April 17, 2011 at 7:47 pm

    the salmon burgers at costco are REALLY good. we always buy them! recipe looks great.

  6. Cathy on April 17, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    glad to see your sense of humour is still intact, gina! (french boutique – very funny)!! your dress looks great, though!
    missed commenting this morning…do hope the pilot is not going to be gone too long. at least you’re in tucson!!

  7. TanyaS on April 17, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    I love the Nutty Quinoa Hash from vegweb.com. It was my first try with quinoa and even my husband loved it. The odd combo of PB, quinoa, potatoes, corn & veg really works well.

    • Fitnessista on April 17, 2011 at 10:52 pm

      that sounds fantastic!

  8. Chelsa on April 17, 2011 at 7:51 pm

    salmon cakes is such a good idea I am totally trying those this week and cute dress too!

  9. Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing on April 17, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    I can’t lie — I have a serious distaste for shopping and shopping frenzies! Wal-Mart is the number 1 way to make me have an anxiety attack. Ha! 🙂

  10. kristinp on April 17, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    The salmon burgers from Sam’s are no bueno. I bought them thinking I was getting the same thing that I got at TJ’s, just more of it and for cheaper. I was WRONG! Tastes like feet (salmon-y feet, but feet nonetheless). Stick with TJ’s fer sure 🙂

    Kristin

    • Fitnessista on April 17, 2011 at 10:51 pm

      hahah i like the one’s from sam’s! the tj’s ones are definitely better, though

  11. Kt on April 17, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    Hi! I like that dress – it looks great on you.

    I don’t want to sounds like a know-it-all, because I am actually unsure if I am right on this, but aren’t all grains seeds? I think that’s what grains are, they are seeds of grasses.

    Someone feel free to correct me 🙂

    Thanks for all your hard work Gina… I am a huge fan, rarely comment, but just wanted you to know I really love your blog.

    • Fitnessista on April 17, 2011 at 10:51 pm

      thank you so much!!
      what a thought-provoking question. when i read it, it totally made me stop and wonder because i have no idea, haha.
      thanks to yahoo answers, here’s what i found:
      Technically, a grain is a fruit with a single seed fused, while a seed is an ovule (think ‘egg’) with an embryo enclosed within.

      In the case of wheat, the flour we derive is mainly the ground up fruit part of the grain, the wheatgerm being the seed part fused within the grain.

      In the case of, for instance, the Millet, the ovule part of the seed is so ‘meaty’, comparatively speaking, it has properties reminiscent of the fruit part of grains, and in culinary terms we therefore treat them similarly to a grain.

      In seeds like peas and pea-likes, parts of the seed’s embryo, the food starage ones that allow the embryonic plant to push up to reach the surface when planted and germinated, are, when the seeds (peas) are dried, so mealy in their properties, we can grind them up to produce ‘flour’ (like chickpea gram flour, for instance), i.e. a substance that, in culinary terms, reminds us of the properties of grain flour and so we treat them as though they were actually ground up grains.

      interesting, huh??
      xoxo

  12. Ashley @ Feeding Ashley on April 17, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    I like to make quinoa stuffed peppers. I did know ti was a seed, but I learned it on Saturday Night Live I think haha. Love the dress! We have a World Market here, and now I might have to check it out. I can always use new dishes. 😀

  13. Jackie @ Baking Charms on April 17, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    I love shopping frenzies! Makes it more fun 🙂

  14. Jennie (in Wonderland) on April 17, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    I have been ODing on goat cheese lately, and I kinda blame you. ha ha.

    My favourite way to enjoy it thus far is very simple: pop about 75g into a ramekin, smush it down until flat, broil it on high until it gets golden and bubbly.

    OMG the crunchy top and gooey bottom… that and a kale salad and I’m set for foodgasms!

    • Fitnessista on April 17, 2011 at 10:49 pm

      you’re welcome. bahaha

  15. melissa on April 17, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    I’d watch out and def read ingredients for the salmon patties!I bought some from costco and LOVED them and ended up buying them again only to FINALLY read the label… these had been “par-fried” (partially fried) so now I’m weary of them. Just another reminder to ALWAYS read labels! 🙂

  16. Lindsay on April 17, 2011 at 8:47 pm

    Quinoa is awesome! I actually did a post today about some quinoa bowls I made! I was actually just telling my bf last night that quinoa was a seed instead of a grain. He didn’t seem to think it was quite as interesting as I did, though. 🙂

  17. Susanne on April 17, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    I just started eating quinoa and it’s pretty tasty. Those salmon quinoa cakes look divine! I’m definitely going to try them out.

    I miss World Market. The one near me closed a couple years ago 🙁

    I like shopping sans the crowd.

  18. Cait @ Beyond Bananas on April 17, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    I am the opposite of you.. I prefer to go to the stores when they are empty. I like to get in.. get what I need.. and get out. We always do our trips to the stores early.. and Costco.. never on a weekend! haha

  19. chelsey @ clean eating chelsey on April 17, 2011 at 9:26 pm

    My FAVORITE granola uses quinoa instead of oats. It is absolutely addicting.

    http://cleaneatingchelsey.com/2010/10/03/pumpkin-maple-quinoa-granola/

    • Fitnessista on April 17, 2011 at 10:48 pm

      YUM! thanks for the recipe 🙂

  20. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) on April 17, 2011 at 9:29 pm

    “It’s something like Tar Jay. Hahah”– LOL!! Good one!

    Glad you found some stuff at Costco and W.M. I hate crowded stores…I’d shop at 2am if it meant no crowds. Espi with a small kiddo…crowds = distractions = errands takes even longer!

    The salmon + quinoa combo looks fabulous! Great job on those. I love crab cakes and salmon cakes (havent had in years) and used to make salmon cakes all the time. Great recipe 🙂

  21. Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife on April 17, 2011 at 9:31 pm

    Your patties look great! I actually dislike shopping frenzies, and I try to avoid them at all costs 😉

  22. Holly @ The Runny Egg on April 17, 2011 at 9:31 pm

    I do not like going to Costco, Ikea, the mall, etc on weekends because it is so busy. I’d rather just stay home than hunt around for a parking space and having to weave around people. I like to go in, get my stuff and get out of there 🙂

    Quinoa – I’ve made bean burgers (from Beth’s Journey) and salmon patties (from Non Dairy Queen) with them. They tasted so good!

  23. Allison @ Food For Healing on April 17, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    those salmon quinoa cakes look fab!

  24. Annie@stronghealthyfit on April 17, 2011 at 9:51 pm

    Wow, those look amazing! I definitely want to try making them.
    Recently, I discovered that quinoa adds a great crunch (as well as nutritional value!) to granola and granola bars.

    • Fitnessista on April 17, 2011 at 10:47 pm

      oooh that’s fun! i never would have thought to add it to bars

  25. Megan on April 17, 2011 at 10:09 pm

    Oooooh I’m SO excited about this recipe! Why didn’t I think of this? We just had a bunch of friends over for hamburgers tonight, and I didn’t have time to make bean burgers for myself, so I just had salad. Salmon cakes I could have made! Next time, I will be all set 🙂 Thanks!

  26. Char on April 17, 2011 at 10:34 pm

    I swear since I just bought some quinoa, I’m reading it everywhere…and loving it! I’m still on the search to find a cool use for it though…so as long as it’s yummy, I’m there!

  27. Tabi on April 17, 2011 at 10:47 pm

    Haahah @ fancy french TarJay (I do that to words ALL the time) AND “Bed Bath & Beyond”… I feel in a hopefully (?) non-creepy way that we’d be friends 😀

  28. Kilee on April 17, 2011 at 11:43 pm

    You look super cute in your dress! I love making a huge batch of quinoa salad with goad cheese, cilantro, basil, garbanzo beans, zuchini, corn and other fresh veggies. It is a great left-over. As for the shopping, I totally avoid crowds. I’m a 8am or 8pm shopper 🙂 Have a good night and I hope you can stay busy til the Pilot is back home.

  29. Shannon on April 18, 2011 at 12:00 am

    I love Trader Joe’s salmon burgers! Have you tried their Mahi-Mahi burgers? I can’t find them at the Trader Joes near me anymore, but I tracked down something similar at Whole Foods–they are SO good!

  30. hippierunner on April 18, 2011 at 1:31 am

    Hilarious that you love shopping frenzies. My dad hates them, so growing up anytime we went anywhere we were there right at opening time. Lol always the first customers. And now I’m like that!

  31. Ruth on April 18, 2011 at 5:20 am

    Those quinoa cakes look awesome!

  32. Katie on April 18, 2011 at 7:16 am

    You are rocking that dress girl ; ) love it!

    These salmon quinoa patties look yummy! I have been trying to eat fish more !

  33. Stephanie on April 18, 2011 at 7:56 am

    I like quinoa pudding, with almond milk, cocoa powder and agave syrup. Yummm! I love your dress from Tar Jay! We do a lot of shopping at the Vivi Boutique, so I know what it’s like to go to swanky places.

    (Vivi Boutique=Value Village=second hand store)

    • Fitnessista on April 18, 2011 at 10:16 am

      LOL! awesome 🙂

    • Tabi on April 18, 2011 at 11:04 am

      hahaha we call VV the “Villagio”!

  34. Haleigh on April 18, 2011 at 8:24 am

    Fabulous dress 🙂 Love the fact that you got it at Target. I usually try to avoid any kind of shopping frenzy, but sometimes they’re fun.

  35. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on April 18, 2011 at 8:33 am

    Yummy looking recipe! I love quinoa but I haven’t really experimented much with it.

    Ahh I hate shopping frenzies! They stress me out. 😛

  36. Running Betty on April 18, 2011 at 8:50 am

    My checkbook is anti shopping frenzy, but I am not.
    My husband takes quinoa, brown mustard, and fresh rosemary and uses it to stuff meats. I wonder how it would taste stuffed in a portabello?

  37. Mo on April 18, 2011 at 9:03 am

    Love the dress – like a shirt dress, right? They are popular this season – I have a hard time finding one that works for me as I’m so darn short. I love World Market too – I have to venture there next weekend to buy birthday/anniversary and Mother’s Day items. And Costco is a blast – except I have one pet peeve. The families that hover around the free sample tables . . . they drive me nuts. I wish they would set up a separate room and put all of the samples in there. I usually put a piece of gum in my mouth the minute I walk in so I won’t be tempted – you can down quite a bit in a short amount of time and not realize it! Take care and enjoy your week.

  38. Meghan on April 18, 2011 at 9:05 am

    Tar jay – love it 🙂 When I want veggies but crave more substance or warmth than a regular salad can provide, I use quinoa as my salad base (instead of lettuce) and toss in whatever veggies and garnishes I’m jonesin’ for at the time – dried cherries, spinach, goat cheese, etc.

  39. Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries on April 18, 2011 at 9:08 am

    I love World Market! There’s one right up the street from my house – I could spend hours in there! And I’m such a bum when i go to Costco – free samples? Yes, please! 🙂

  40. Meredith on April 18, 2011 at 9:43 am

    That dress looks so cute on you!!
    Thanks for the idea on the salmon cakes. I gave up on them because I bought canned salmon for a recipe once and when I opened it, the skin was still on. Totally grossed me out! I love your idea to use salmon patties and break them up.
    As we say here in Boston, you’re wicked smaht!

  41. faith @ lovelyascharged on April 18, 2011 at 10:14 am

    I’ve made quinoa cookies before, the recipe still needs work but it was a super creative way to cook with it! My fave quinoa dish tho was simple quinoa with shrooms, peppers, cream cheese and spicy mustard…I’m drooling just thinking abut it!

  42. CampingGirl on April 19, 2011 at 6:51 am

    I love crab cakes and have just recently found quinao! Can’t wait to try this!

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