Description
These Quinoa Vegetable and Cheesy Baby Bites are a wholesome, flavorful snack or appetizer packed with nutritious ingredients like quinoa, fresh spinach, peas, and mozzarella cheese. They’re easy to make in under an hour, baked to golden perfection, providing a delicious bite-sized way to enjoy vegetables and protein in every mouthful.
Ingredients
Scale
Quinoa Base
- 130 g quinoa (3/4 cup)
- 400 ml water
Vegetable Mixture
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 red onion, medium and finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 large handful frozen peas
- 1 large handful fresh spinach leaves, finely chopped
- 4-6 sprigs fresh thyme leaves
Binding and Cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 180ºC (350ºF) to preheat, preparing it for baking the baby bites later.
- Cook Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa thoroughly in a sieve under running water. Bring 400 ml of water to a boil in a pot, then add the quinoa. Once boiling, cover with a lid, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes until all the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy. Drain any excess water if necessary.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the finely diced red onion and crushed garlic, frying until fragrant. Add the frozen peas and cook until they begin to soften. Use a masher to gently break up the peas, then stir in the chopped spinach and fresh thyme leaves. Remove from heat.
- Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk the egg. Add the cooked quinoa, sautéed vegetable mixture, and grated mozzarella. Stir everything well to combine into a uniform mixture.
- Form Bites: Using a tablespoon-sized scoop, form the mixture into small balls and place them evenly spaced on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Bake: Bake the balls in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until they turn golden brown on top.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cheesy baby bites to cool completely before serving to let them set and enhance their flavors.
Notes
- Ensure quinoa is rinsed well to remove its natural bitterness.
- You can substitute mozzarella with other mild cheeses like cheddar or gouda for a different flavor.
- Use fresh or frozen peas; if using fresh, blanch them briefly before adding to the pan.
- Letting the bites cool fully helps them hold together better when served.
- These bites can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently before serving.
