Cheese and Veggie Quinoa Bites

Do you agree that it can be really fun to dip foods?  The beauty of these little bites is that they are relatively healthy and great for dipping.  A healthy ranch-type dip is amazing.  Mark and I also like to eat these bites over a salad with dressing in order to up the veggies in the meal.  If you have a food processor, this meal comes together relatively quickly, and you can clean most of the dishes while the bites are baking.  The last piece of good news is that these bites make great leftovers, and while different, they aren't bad eaten cold!  You could make these on the weekend and have them as part of your lunch all week.  I will be bringing some of these as a travel snack this week when we head to California.
Cheese and Veggie Quinoa Bites

Yield: 36 bites (serves 4 for dinner)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 carrots (about 12 ounces total)
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 small yellow onion
• 5 cloves of garlic
• 6 ounces cheddar cheese, grated 
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1)  Preheat your oven to 350°F.  Then, cook the quinoa:  In a small saucepan, combine the quinoa and 2 cups of water (you can also use part or all broth if you have any!).  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low.  Simmer, with the pan covered, for 15 minutes.  Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. 

2)  Meanwhile, in the bowl of a food processor with the normal blade attachment, pulse the onion and garlic.  Once finely chopped, add in the spinach and do a couple more quick pulses.  Switch to the grater attachment and grate the carrots.

3)  In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients from the food processor with the cooked quinoa, eggs, cheese, flour, and spices.  Mix thoroughly.

4)  Spray 2 mini muffin pans with cooking spray.  Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, fill each cup of the muffin pan with the mixture.  Press lightly with your fingers to make sure each cup is firmly packed.  Note: you will be making about 36 quinoa bites.

5)  Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.  

6)  Carefully remove the bites from the pans.  Serve with dipping sauce of choice, or over a salad with dressing.  

(recipe adapted from The Curvy Carrot)