Red Quinoa and Hemp Seed Burgers

Hemp Seeds are a little misunderstood. Maybe that’s because I live in the midwest and hemp is still on a learning curve here. It’s like hemp has a wild, partying brother and they look a lot alike, but they’re not the same. To be honest, I’ve really fallen for hemp seeds, but I’ve always had a thing for the health nuts. That’s why this Red Quinoa and Hemp Seed Burger is calling my name.

I was in our local health food store recently looking for a bag of hemp seeds. Standing nearby was an old man looking for something in the aisle next to me. I’m one of those people who will talk to just about anyone. So, here’s how the conversation went:

“I can’t believe they sell that stuff here,” he said to me.
“Hemp seeds?” I said playfully, thinking he was joking.
“Yeah. That stuff leads to plants that are dangerous for people.”
I looked at him more closely. Yep. He was straight-faced. No twinkle in his eye. He meant business.
“Actually, hemp seed is not the same as marijuana.”
“Oh yeah it is. Gets people high!” he said starting to raise his voice.
“The hemp plant is like a cousin to the marijuana plant. It doesn’t have—”
“I think you better get your facts straight, Little Missy. They shouldn’t be selling this hemp stuff here. It’s illegal.”

He was looking kind of intense and so I decided at this point to pivot and do my triple lutz change of the subject.

“The KC Chiefs look like they’re going to have a great season. Don’t you think?”
His expression changed; softened. “Absolutely!” he said as he broke out into a grin. “I’m looking forward to this year’s season.”

That’s a 10 out of 10 on my change of subject landing!

This wasn’t the only time I’ve had to come to the rescue of the poor, misunderstood hemp seed. When I was checking out of the same local health food store, the clerk looked young and a little more knowledgeable of the ways of the hemp seed. I thought he might find it funny if I told him the story of the old man and the hemp seed.

“…and then the guy told me he thought hemp seeds would grow into marijuana.” I ended the story. And then I laughed, thinking this boy would laugh with me. And then I laughed a little more awkwardly because I was getting a blank stare in response.

“You know, this is just kind of funny—because, er—well, because the hemp seed and marijuana are not the same,” I said.
“Oh yeah they are,” said the clerk in response. “Hemp grows into marijuana. It can make you high.”

I could not believe it. Here was a young guy—probably in his late teens or early twenties — speaking the same gibberish as that old man the week or two before.

“The Royals are having a good season,” I said with a smile.
“I’m going to a game next week! Can’t wait!” he said.

The morale of this story? Well, actually, there are two.

#1) Hemp seeds are still very misunderstood.

#2) Sports is always a great way to pivot a potential conflict in a conversation.

I don’t like conflict so I bring up sports a lot.

I could add a third little lesson learned – hemp seeds are delicious. And just so you know, they won’t grow into plants that will make you high. But you might get overcome with happiness when you realize that hemp seeds are so healthy. They’re loaded with great nutritional components - like protein, omegas, and some essential fatty acids.

I sprinkle hemp seeds on my salads and eat them with bananas and in granola. And now…I even eat them in my veggie burgers. I hope you will too!

Red Quinoa and Hemp Seed Burgers

By Namely Marly

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 4-6, depending on size

Ingredients

• 15 oz can red kidney beans


• ½ cup red quinoa, uncooked


• 1 cup water


• 1 scallion, chopped


• 2 tablespoons flax seeds, ground


• 1 tablespoons corn starch


• 2 tablespoons corn meal


• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes


• 1 tablespoon garlic powder


• 1 tablespoon yellow mild miso


• 1 tablespoon celery seeds


• 2 tablespoons raw cashes, finely chopped


• ½ cup hemp seeds


• Topping: 1 cup vegan mayo combined with 1 scallion, chopped.

Instructions

1. Place the canned kidney beans in strainer and rinse. Pour the rinsed kidney beans in a medium-sized bowl.


2. In a medium saucepan place the water on medium heat. In the meantime, rinse and drain the red quinoa. This can be tricky because your typical strainer has too big of an opening and the quinoa will go through. I use a fine mesh strainer to do this.


3. Place the rinsed quinoa in the water and cook until boiling, then lower heat and cover and cook for about 15 minutes, until the water has been absorbed.


4. In the meantime add the other ingredients to the bowl with your kidney beans, reserving ¼ cup of the hemp seeds. Use your hands or a potato masher to smash all the ingredients together, including the beans. I like parts of beans showing, so it doesn’t have to be pulverized like it would if you used a food processor. Just mashed together.


5. Once the quinoa is done, drain as much water as you can from it and add 1 cup of cooked quinoa to the patty mixture. Press into the rest of the mixture and you should be ready to cook.


6. Spray your sauté pan with vegetable spray and turn up to medium heat. Make four patties out of the mixture, pressing some of the reserved hemp seeds into both sides of the patties. I like the way this looks after the hemp seeds brown slightly in the skillet. Cook the patties for 5 minutes on each side, until brown. Allow the burgers to set for 10 minutes or so before serving.

Enjoy!

Source

Red Quinoa and Hemp Seed Burgers