Do you have an investment piece? ย Wait… do you even know what an investment piece is?
Don’t feel bad… I’m just figuring this out myself. ย An investment piece is a bonkers awesome, typically super expensive, designer dress that one (say… you!) might wear to a gala, ball, or um… red carpet event (because people totally do that). ย Can you wear it to a wedding? ย Only if you don’t look better than the bride.
Do you own an investment piece? ย ….anytime a dress is called a ‘piece’, I know I can’t afford it… let’s just be real.
I don’t own a piece.
I do, however, own one Le Creuset pot in a dusty purple. ย I have yet to figure out how to wear this to a gala… but luckily I haven’t been invited to any galas.
I don’t anticipate owning a piece. ย I do anticipate a lot of blazers, summer shorts, and loose tank tops in my warm weather future.
While I may not have the luxury of investment pieces… I do have the luxury of just enough time to make these special little quinoa cakes. ย They have kale in them! ย They’re divine and sophisticated! ย Just like galas.. but without the control top hose (…yea, that’s totally still a thing).
These little gems might remind you of the Lemon, Olive, and Parsley Quinoa Cakes I made last year. ย They were a good idea. ย Kale is totally a good idea too!
Start with quinoa. ย I found a lovely rainbow quinoa… but you can use whatever you have on hand. ย Fresh Dino Kale is dark, leafy, and full of health. ย Sun dried tomatoes are a powerhouse of flavor.
Parsley and cheese too! ย I love the bright herby-ness that parsley adds to these cakes.
I also sauteed up some onions and garlic, along with the kale. ย Flavor on flavor on flavor when it comes to quinoa.
I found that a little cookie scoop was the best way to manipulate these little cakes from dough, to ball, to patty form.
If you don’t have a cookie scoop, clean slightly damp hands will do.
These quinoa cakes take some time in the kitchen. ย There’s a lot of little things going on. ย Cooking the quinoa. ย Cleaning the kale. ย Chopping. ย Sauteing. ย Cooling. ย Chopping a bit more. ย Fixing. ย Shaping. ย Frying.
Please don’t let all these little steps keep you from this dish! ย They’re great! ย Healthy, hearty, and filling…. and can totally be made for any meal of the day! ย Feel free to add green olives and lemon zest… these patties can happily take on additional flavors.
The best part about this recipe is that is makes a generous amount of cakes. ย Fry them off for a party, or save some of the uncooked quinoaย mixture and fry them off for a few days. ย They make great veggie patties (although they’re not firm enough to withstand a grill). ย They make great breakfast snacks. ย They’re good warm or cold.
I served mine at lunch with a squeeze of fresh lemon, some capers to snack on, fresh spinach (to simulate a salad), and thick balsamic vinegar.
Sure, they take a bit of time… but these cakes are totally my new investment piece. Time… not money. ย Kale… not clothes.
I just love them!
Kale and Quinoa Cakes
makes about 2 dozen small cakes
recipe adapted from Super Natural Every Day
1 1/2 cups rawย quinoa
2 1/4 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 bunch (about 3 cups) chopped dino kale
splash of apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/3 cup coarsely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1/3 cup chopped parsley
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper or crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoon olive oil for frying, add a bit more as necessary
lemon wedges, olives or capers, spicy mustard, and greens for serving
Place dry quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. ย Wash under cool water for a few minutes. ย Quinoa needs to be rinsed or it tastes dirty.
In a medium saucepan place rinsed quinoa, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. ย Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. ย Cover, decrease the heat, and simmer for about 25 t0 30 minutes, until the quinoa is tender. ย Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. ย Weโll need about 3 cups of cooked quinoa for the recipe.
In a small bowl, whisk eggs and set aside.
In a medium sautรฉ man, heat olive oil over medium heat. ย Add onions and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. ย Add garlic and saute for 1 minute. ย Add kale and toss until just slightly wilted, about 1 minutes. ย Remove from heat and add a splash of vinegar. ย Place kale mixture in a large bowl with prepared quinoa. ย Allow to cool to room temperature. ย You can speed up this process in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Add cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, break crumbs, salt, and pepper. ย Add beaten eggs and stir until all of the quinoa mixture is moistened. ย Add water to thoroughly moisten mixture. ย Quinoa should be slightly wet so it doesnโt dry out during cooking.
Scoop out mixture by the 2 tablespoonful. ย (I used a small ice cream scoop to scoop the mixture right into the hot pan.) ย Use clean, moist fingers to form into a patty. ย Create as many patties as youโd like. ย (Rinse your hands after every few patties… it makes making patties easier.)
In a large skillet over medium low heat, heat olive oil. ย If you pan is large enough, add four to six patties to the hot pan. ย Youโll need a bit of room to successfully flip them.
Cook on each side until beautifully browned, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. ย Low heat helps the quinoa cakes cook slowly. Brown on each side then remove to a paper towel lined plate.
Serve warm with a lemon wedge, mustard, fresh spinach, and salty capers. ย It’s like a deconstructed salad. ย Serve them any way youโd like.
Also, the quinoa mixture can be left, uncooked in the fridge for a few days. ย Cook as necessary. ย Fresh quinoa cakes with fried eggs are delicious!
135 Responses
Has anyone frozen these after making the little patties?
These look amazing — I think I am going to try them tonight! What are your thoughts on baking them instead, do you think that would still work?
these were amazing! I added goat cheese because I didn’t have parmesan on hand and it gave them a little bit of creaminess, so good. I sent my quinoa-skeptical boyfriend off with them for lunch at work today; he tried a nibble of one last night when I was cooking them, and his whole face lit up. thank you! oh and I love your blog. just found it!
Joy! I used this recipe for a catering gig I had recently, and served them over garlicy chard and topped it all off with a crispy-skinned duck breast with five-spice powder and an apricot-whiskey compote. It was incredible. They were the perfect staple.
Hi Joy, just wanted to tell you these were a big hit tonight, even with my two fussy affirmed meat-eaters. Thanks for the recipe. Oh, and for people who are having trouble keeping them in patty shape while they’re cooking, try to form them in fairly firm patties, set them in the pre-heated oiled pan, and then let them be for 2 to 3 minutes. If I tried to flip, check, whatever with them sooner, they fell apart.
Sounds and looks very yum!!. Anything quinoa is gold on my plate!. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. They are delicious and easily adaptable to whatever you have in the kitchen. I plan on making a patch tonight!
Hello, Joy! I was very happy to find your site. What a JOY it is to read and look at this beautiful blog. I just wanted to say that I made these kale and quinoa cakes and I have to say that they were a HUGE hit with my family. My 6 year old daughter wanted them for school lunches for the next 3 days. They’ve been a life saver for me as a busy mother or 2 school children who only want to eat the same thing every day. Now I know that with these cakes they will have healthy and yummy lunches every time. Keep up the good work. I look forward to trying many of your recipes. Cheers
Has anyone tried freezing these, either uncooked or cooked?
I froze some after cooking–flash froze in a single layer so they wouldn’t stick to each other, then in a freezer ziploc. I just reheated some of them (after only about a week) in a 325 degree oven, and they came out great. I’ve still got some more in the freezer, so we’ll see how they hold up after a little more time, but so far, so good!
I made these a couple of days ago and they were absolutely delicious!
These look delicious and healthy! :D It’s great to be back in the states, catching up on all your recipes! It’s been a long three months, and i really miss your blog, and enjoying the hilarity of these posts :)
We made these for dinner tonight and they were awesome. I loved the toasty flavor of the quinoa. Thanks for a great recipe!
Investment piece? My caramel fitted leather jacket! Not only does it protect me while I’m on my vespa, but I wear it alllll the time, and it adds a cool vibe (to a decidedly nerdy girl). Plus it’s warm. Skin protecting & warm + cool looking = great investment.
My husband and I made these for dinner this week – they were soooo tasty! We made them a little larger in size and added some bonus kale and sun dried tomatoes. They made a great left over lunch, heated them in the toaster oven instead of the microwave to keep the crisp outside. Thanks Joy :)
These were so good! I didn’t have bread crumbs on hand but I did have Triscuits so I mashed them and they worked great. What a wonderful recipe!
wow, these look SO awesomly delicious! got to try them soon. very soon. thanks for sharing!!
Oh man, I couldn’t get these guys to stay patty-ish when I flipped them so it turned into stir fried quinoa. Thanks for the super tasty recipe!!
I tried out this recipe last night and absolutely loved it! It’s probably one of the best things I’ve eaten in a LONG time, and I made it myself! I love how the recipe yields so much that can be refrigerated and cooked in smaller quantities as the week goes by. My co-workers are very jealous of my lunch today. Thank you for posting this!
Perfect! What a wink from life, as I’d call it. I was actually looking for a new blog to follow about happiness/joy and this one popped up with all this yummy food! AND I have been wracking my brains thinking of more ways to use quinoa and WHACK! Here it is. And that makes me happy. And I’m all about the happy. Look for twinkles, follow the winks, find your happy.
ooh! i’ve been seeing quinoa cake recipes around! i haven’t tried yet, but i am very excited to start frying up these babies!
Are these good baked or broiled? My tiny, poorly-ventilated Manhattan kitchen makes frying very difficult for me.
i have not tried this recipe baked or broiled so i can’t give you an accurate answer.
If you try baking them, I’d love to hear the results. I had to use a lot of oil when I made them, so I wondered if baking might be an option instead.
Just made these with millet instead of quinoa. Amazingly creamy and delicious!! Perfect quick dinner. :]
I made your first quinoa cake recipe and tried a few spin-offs of my one, loved them all. This version looks great too!
That does it! I’ve got to try Heidi’s quinoa cakes. Your kale version looks awesome.
And oh, will you please wear Le Creuset sometime? I don’t know how to make it happen, but if anyone can, it’s you.
I love these lil’ cakes. I most recently made them with feta, corn, and a pile of herbs: https://emmycooks.com/2012/03/16/quinoa-cakes-with-cheese-garlic-and-herbs/ I think kale would be so good here, though–I’m trying your version next.
i made a variation of these tonight for dinner with spinach in place of the kale (what we had on hand) and minus the sun-dried tomatoes and they were fabulous! 8yo even deemed them tater-tot like which i found awesomely hysterical, but perfect.
thanks for the recipe!
Made these for dinner tonight and they were absolutely delicious! I served them over a bed of arugula with a poached egg on top, and I seriously can’t wait to make them again!
This recipe has 3 ingredients I’ve shunned until just recently, but have come to absolutely love (capers, quinoa, kale.) I will have to try it soon.
Oh how I wanted this investment piece from BLDHN a while back. I was severely disappointed when it was out of stock, even though I didn’t have a spare $1400 lying around or a fancy shmancy event to go too! I’ll have to settle for kale and quinoa cakes as well.
thanks for the idea, friend!
Love me some kale and quinoa. I particularly love the cheese addition here – it makes it quite different to other quinoa cakes I’ve made. And delicious, I’m sure. I’d rather this ‘piece’ too :)
Heidi xo
Mmmm I love this recipe already! I just recently started making quinoa cakes and I love the texture of the crunchy quinoa on the outside. I also love how quinoa adapts to lots of different flavors so easily. These look like they are filled with flavors!
I do not own a ‘piece’ either not sure if I ever will ;)
and kale is always a good choice! these little cakes look devine!!! just got quinoa today so this would be perfect.
Nobody does great looking food like you. And “fresh” — always perfectly fresh, beautifully displayed ingredients. Your name suits you – pure JOY!
Thanks for always sharing your great stuff and thoughts on life. We need it all – the good food and uplifiting thoughts to chew on as well.
Thanks for the healthy kick because I’ve gained seven pounds since getting your book. Oops!
I want to eat these…now, but I know any attempts to duplicate will render a mess. Hmph. Joy the Baker meet Chamayne the Burner.
These little cakes would be perfect for a girl’s day lunch….or any other time really! The sound really delish!
These healthy little cakes look amazing…
I also wanted to encourage all Joy fans to vote for her in the Saveur.com best food blog 2012 awards – she was chosen as a finalist in the best recipe, sweet or savory, category!
https://www.saveur.com/food-blog-awards/vote.jsp?ID=1000013340
Congrats to you Joy – I’ve cast my vote for you and your Double-Dipped Apple Donuts!
Good luck!
I definitely belong to the kale, not clothes, camp…
I made the olive and parsley version for the first time a few weeks ago- so yummy!!! I can’t wait to try this one. Also I found a neat little way to cook this differnetly- in a shallow dish in the oven. It still crisps up and there’s no standing over a frying pan. Hooray!
I would like to try cooking them in the oven and avoid the after frying stove clean-up. Did you use oil or cooking spray? What temp and how long? Very excited to try these cakes!
A big yum from me. Love the styling|photos and the recipe looks fantastic!
A Le Creuset pot is totally the kind of investment piece I’m into – I can’t wait until I can splurge on one of those. Also, last night (before I read this post) I made Salmon Quinoa cakes inspired by your previous quinoa cakes. We’re on the same wavelength.
These look delicious! They would be so good as a healthy/filling lunch…yum.
I’m always looking for new ways to sneak kale into something yummy! These look great.
Yum, I’ll make these…I hope they freeze well.
I bought your cookbook and have happy coworkers thanks to your delicious brownies. Thanks!
Also, you recipe says “In a Medium Sautรฉ Man”
Thanks, Joy! I was looking for some new quinoa recips. :)
I absolutely love your cookbook. I made your potato zucchini cakes. So delicious. I shared on my blog. https://allthingsyummyforfoodies.blogspot.com/2012/04/potato-zucchini-cakes-joy-baker.html
Bet they would be RULL good with an egg on top! Been into that lately…
saturation upped?!
These look and sound divine! Plus I’m obsessed with quinoa currently-so I will have to make these soon. Thanks for sharing!
The flavor combo here looks so good! I love that you added sun-dried tomatoes into the mix. Served with some crisp asparagus, this would make a perfect light, spring meal. Mmmm, I can’t wait to eat it!
No investment piece on my end either…as fun as it would be to own an investment piece, I’m more interested in kitchen pieces too. Your Le Creuset purple pot sounds like an awesome piece (although slightly heavier to carry around than an investment piece ;) Your recipe looks great – kale, spinach, anything leafy and green is always an attention grabber for me – looks zesty, flavorful and appetizing!
Joy, I’m totally with you on โinvestment recipes.โ There’s nothing greater than spending TIME in the kitchen. And the ROI is usually pretty awesome… :)
I posted a couple of recipes on my blog this week that require a little bit more time than usual and wondered if anyone would think it’s worth the time to make them. But it’s ALWAYS worth the time! I wish more people understood this instead of trying to make something quick all the time.
Awesome, Joy! Man, these are what I’ve been waiting for. I have so been wanting to try quinoa cakes and I think this is the recipe. And I have nearly everything for it. Yay! You rock.
And I hope I never get invited to a gala. I’m content with some slappy clothes and a quinoa cake.
Blazers rock. I might be guilty of overwearing the blazer. I wanna get a blazer made from vintage suiting…that would be my investment piece. Until I get there I’m gonna have to comfort myself with kale and quinoa cakes which is totally fine with me. I’ve got time and I’m hungry!
I recently discovered quinoa and love it. This cakes look amazing, I’m definitely going to try them.
I don’t own an investment piece, didn’t know what it was up until now, but I will totally choose a Le Creuset piece over any piece of clothing!
Quinoa cakes are DELISH. I love them! And mustard is my favorite, so yay!
Also, would a dress I got on sale at Anthropologie for $50 be an investment piece? I’m going to wear it to a fall wedding with bright tights. And I’ve had it for months, so it feels like a piece kinda.
This is a great idea. I’m thinking that sneaking a little goat cheese in there might be a good thing.
Have you ever noticed that everything tastes better when combined in little cake form?
Yummers!
I discovered Quinoa last year and this will be a great new use! Awesome!
I do not own an investment piece, but I’m only 21, so right now I’m just focused on paying rent & keeping myself stocked in butter and sugar!
I love quinoa, let’s make more recipes with it!
I LOVE that rainbow quinoa. I didn’t notice a flavor difference when I made it, but loved it all the same. I love kale with anything so this is a win. I paired it with red cabbage and I about died of awesome.
I don’t go to any galas, either. My investment piece is my copper pot. It would make a lovely hat.
This post spoke to me – I’ll take an “investment piece” in the kitchen instead of my wardrobe any day of the week! I’d much rather splurge (or be spoiled with) awesome things in the kitchen instead of a dress I’ll wear once or a bag that costs more than my paycheck. Good for you! I’m jealous of your Le Creuset pot in a dusty purple! Oh and the recipe looks great – cheers!
As I’m sitting here eating Belgian chocolate, I’m totally thinking I should be eating these…
Okay, I’m trying to type this while my kitten is sitting squarely in my lap, on my arms, and with her butt on the touchpad for the laptop. She’s making it impossible, but I let her pull this crap because she loves your blog and I love her.
I am a HUGE fan of quinoa, and I am super stoked to see your baby cakes! I’m totally trying these next week when we have friends over. Because kitten and I totally have friends over.
Let me ask you this: what about bits of gruyere or maybe even something with heat? What would you suggest for something more spicy?
Okay, this cat is getting my way for real now. Have a great day, Joy!
Oh, Joy, Joy, Joy!! I think I must say that I’m just as excited for these as some of the desserts you’ve made!! These look incredibly delicious, especially since we’ve recently discovered quinoa here at the 365 home and are truly LOVING all things kale, this is sure to be a hit!
It’s bookmarked! I’ll have to look for that colorful quinoa, too!
These seem like the perfect thing to take for a picnic (and I think my two vegetarian sisters will be into them as well.)
Joy! (Love these) I have a new craving and if you go to LACMA, and Ray’s and Stark Bar, I think you would fall head over heels for the warm farro salad and then show the rest of us how to make it. It would be another gift to us. It’s warm and has apricots and goat cheese and broccolini and wild rice. But it’s got a sweetish flavor that just blows me away. Just like (all) your recipes.
I love eating and making quinoa patties. Forming those little balls is actually fun! It’s like making meatballs but without all the grossness of raw meat. These look extra moist with the sun dried tomatoes added to them. I made a batch of Heidi’s last year and paired them up with my cauliflower soup and I felt healthy ;)
I think I’m looking at my lunch right now. Running to the kitchen to start the quinoa!!
Definitely no investment piece for me (I didn’t even know what it was!) I love both quinoa and kale so these sound delicious. Rainbow quinoa makes them look so cheerful!
Oh, these sound fabulous! I especially like your suggestion to serve them with fried eggs!
Joy, you just made my heart sing! Kale and Quinoa are two of my favorite foods and I NEVER thought of putting them together. Just yesterday I was thinking that I needed a new Quinoa cake recipe, so thank you!
I’m obsessed with quinoa, kale and cakes – so this equals the perfect recipe! Thanks for sharing – going to try to make them tonight.
Xo,
Amanda
I don’t have an investment piece or a Le Creuset :( but I do love any excuse to eat capers! I didn’t care for the other quinoa cakes you made but I think I might like the flavors here better. I’ll have to give it a try!
These Lil cakes are too cute, sounds delicious! I was bonkers excited when I found a LeCreuset @Goodwill for 2.99, must I admit it was only a pie pan but I still am a happy gal to score that bright orange “piece” Investment for the low low! Ha!
Go Team Kale! My husband actually has a shirt (that he got kinda as a joke) that says…Eat More Kale!
Happy Happy Day to you!
I dunno the dress you are wearing on the cover of your book looks pretty fancy shmancy to me!
I would rather invest in kale than clothes too because that kale will someday allow me to be able to wear a dress worth investing. Love this recipe! Quinoa and kale are high on my favorite food ingredient list. Perfect!
Everyone seems to be on a quinoa kick lately. I love the quinoa/kale combo!
I think a Le Creuset *is* an investment piece. You certainly get more joy from one of those than a fancy dress.
Totes loving that rainbow quinoa. Having a bit of a quinoa obsession at the moment, putting in salads and stews etc, but always am a little annoyed that I can only buy the one coloured quinoa. Loving these little quiona cakes. Will definitely be trying these over the weekend
These look perfect for lunch with a salad. Thanks!
Hurrah for quinoa! I’d been pondering an alternative to your lemon and olive quinoa cakes because olives aren’t exactly like my very best of friends…so these are perfect! Thanks!
healthiest-named recipe ever! Gotta try them
Hi Joy! your recipe is fantastic and super healthy!! I want to try it! Two questions:
#1: is it possible in your opinion to bake it as a whole cake instead of frying each small cake?
#2: can I substitute panko bread crumbs with corn flakes crumbs? a part for the color, it is the only thing I’ve come up with that might give that crunchy needed… (here in Italy would be impossible to find panko bread crumbs..)
Thank you in advance for your reply!
Ciao, Francesca – Bologna, Italy
I do have one nice dress, but no one’s invited me to any galas. Sigh. At least I would get more use out of a Le Creuset!
A Le Creuset would definitely be my investment piece… who needs expensive dresses. I love the look of these cakes… the sundried tomatoes… mmmmmmmm
Is it wrong that I’d prefer the Le Creuset over a investment piece-gala event dress?
Oh my, I know exactly what you mean about the “piece”. I would spend hours, DAYS, in the kitchen, invested in a recipe. But put that same amount of time into money? I just can’t do it…
These cakes look delish, by the way. I had a bad kale experience 2 years ago, but am trying to talk myself into trying it again :-)
I need to try these. I NEVER have luck with food in a “cake/patty” form. They’d be a percect addtition to our Breakfast for Dinner Easter!
These little patties look delicious, nothing wrong with some cleansing quinoa and kale just before the holidays :)
Your quinoa cakes are so cute !
Haha I definitely do not have an investment piece! I’ll take a few of these quinoa cakes, though!
Yammi. Will try them soon!!!
I know this is so out of context, but I just got your book and I am so totally excited, just in time for my easter baking. It is so beautiful and I am so happy, thank you so much Joy! XXX
I really want to get my hands on a copy of Heidi’s book – every recipe I’ve seen from it looks heavenly. These cakes are no exception – gorgeous little bursts of flavour and vitality!
What a delicious treat! The ingredients are amazing!
(The only “piece” I own is my wedding dress, and I could wear it to a wedding :D. I wish I owned a Le Creuset!)
These little cakes look fabulous. Everyone loves kale when it’s made like this, right? :)
And I’d need that much mustard in the picture, times ten or so. Love the stuff!
Wow, these look amazingly healthy and super cute! Another success Joy!
Hi Joy, I made these from Heidi’s book using kale and they were delicious. I love the idea of adding sun-dried tomatoes too and rainbow quinoa. Lovely colours!
I just jumped on the quinoa bandwagon so I will definitely be making these soon. Oh and I don’t have an investment piece either. I’d rather spend that money on more le creuset products. You could never have enough le creuset in your kitchen :)