Cheesy Quinoa Bites

I needed to figure out a (relatively healthy) snack to bring to a get-together last night and have been itching to try a quinoa bit recipe.  So I found instructions for "Cheesy Quinoa Bites" and glad I did  - they were deeeelicious!   I modified from this blog and they turned out perfectly!  My only problem was that I should have doubled the batch!

This is not my picture, either - didn't have the time to snap one.  It's also from Running to The Kitchen.  Thanks for the recipe idea!! :)

Cheddar Quinoa Bites

• 1/2 cup uncooked red (or mixed) quinoa
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup cheddar, grated
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• 3 tablespoons bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 small shallot, minced
• 1/4 c corn
• 1/4 c red pepper, diced small - size of corn
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• salt & pepper
• 
  
• Dipping sauce
• 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt (I used Trader Joe's European Plain yogurt with excellent results)
• 1 teaspoon sriracha
• 2 more tablespoons cilantro

Instructions

Quinoa bites

1. Rinse quinoa then combine with water in a small sauce pan.
2. Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer until water is absorbed (about 20 minutes).
3. While quinoa cooks, combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with lightly greased aluminum foil
5. Add quinoa to the bowl when finished cooking and combine all ingredients with clean hands.
6. Form mixture into golf ball sized balls (this will be messy but they should come together enough to form balls. If not, add a bit more breadcrumbs) and place on baking sheet.
7. Bake for 20 minutes.
8. If any of the balls have cracked while cooking, reshape them while still hot then let cool to harden.

Dipping sauce

1. Combine yogurt, sriracha and cilantro in small bowl and stir together.