Parmesan-Cauliflower Fritters

The following recipe comes from the May 2008 edition of Vegetarian Times. The author writes, “Forget the spattering oil and careful flipping that fritters usually call for. These disks crisp up perfectly in the oven—no turning required. Quinoa supplies extra crunch, to play off the tenderness of the cauliflower.”

Parmesan-Cauliflower Fritters
Serves 6

Ingredients
½ cup quinoa
½ teaspoon salt
8 ounces cauliflower florets
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Prepared tomato-and-basil sauce, warmed

Directions
1. Lightly coat baking sheet with oil. Heat a saucepan over high heat. Add quinoa, and cook 3 minutes, or until quinoa begins to pop, stirring constantly. Add 1 cup water and salt. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 10 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Cool.
2. Meanwhile, cook cauliflower in boiling water 8 minutes, or until tender. Drain, and break into small pieces.
3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix quinoa, cauliflower, Parmesan, eggs, parsley, breadcrumbs, and pepper in large bowl (mixture will be moist and loose). Shape into 3-inch patties. Arrange patties on prepared baking sheet, and bake 20 minutes, or until fritters are golden brown. Serve with tomato-basil sauce.