Buffalo Quinoa Bites with Blue Cheese Dip

Hello everyone, so as you have probably noticed there has been a lack of posts on my behalf recently, this is due to my move the the United States of America! I can't quite believe I am now living in Long Island, NY, but this is going to be my home for the next 8 weeks! So to kick things off again, here's a dish inspired by the American classic, Buffalo Wings with a Blue Cheese dip.

I have already expressed my love for the super little grain that is the wonder of quinoa, protein-packed and gluten free, it provides the perfect base for these tasty Buffalo Bites, paired with the creamy Blue Cheese Dip (healthy due to the Greek Yoghurt) these Bites can be enjoyed as a snack, perfect for sharing, or on a crisp green salad. Eat them how you like and enjoy!

Ingredients
(Serves 4)

(For the Quinoa Bites)
- 1 1/2cups of Quinoa (cooked)
- 3tablespoons of Olive Oil
- 1/4cup of Buffalo Hot Sauce (so being in America now this is easy to come by, but most large supermarkets should sell hot sauce in the world food isle - sriracha will also work)
- 1/2cup of Kidney Beans (mashed)
- 1/4cup of Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1/2an Egg (beaten)
- Salt and Pepper to season

(For the Sauce)
- 1/2cup of 0% Greek Yoghurt
- 1tablespoon of Olive Oil
- 1x Garlic Clove (crushed)
- Small handful of Fresh Parsley (chopped)
- 2tablespoons of Blue Cheese (crumbled)

Method

1) Firstly grab yourself a bowl and combine all of the ingredients for the sauce, season well with salt and pepper then place in the fridge to keep cool.

2) Next take your hot sauce and 1 tablespoon of oil, place in a bowl and whisk until combined seasoning well with salt and pepper.

3) Now its time to make your Quinoa bites. Grab a big bowl and throw in the Quinoa, Breadcrumbs, Kidney Beans, Egg, and around half of your Hot Sauce mixture, then mix unitl its completely combined.

4) Now its time to get your hands dirty! Grab a small handful of the mixture and roll into a ball around 1.5 centimetres in diameter then repeat (you should end up with around 24 balls)

5) Put the remaining Olive Oil into a large frying pan and place over a medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, cook the balls in batches (around 10 at a time depending on the size of your pan) until they are golden and crisp on all sides.

6) Finally coat the cooked Quinoa Balls into the remaining hot sauce (carefully, they break up easily!) place on a plate and serve with your cool dipping sauce straight from the fridge!

Enjoy x