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Quinoa Pizza Bites

Quinoa Pizza Bites
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The following recipe and photography were provided by local blogger Carolyn Hodges of The Dinner Shift.

This tailgate season, why not add a few more plant-based options to your game day spread?

These gluten-free two-bite appetizers are made with quinoa and kidney beans and seasoned with the perfect combination of tomato paste, dried herbs, spices and mozzarella cheese to deliver all the flavor of a classic slice.

Quinoa Pizza Bites

I suggest serving these pizza bites with a dipping sauce. I’m including the recipe for a yogurt-based parmesan garlic sauce, but ranch dressing or warm marinara sauce work great, too.

To keep this recipe vegan, swap in non-dairy shredded cheese for the mozzarella and serve with warm marinara or pizza sauce.

Quinoa Pizza Bites

Quinoa Pizza Bites

Ingredients

For the Quinoa Pizza Bites

  • ½ cup Heinen’s tri-color quinoa, uncooked
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
  • 1 can Heinen’s dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • ⅓ cup Heinen’s tomato paste
  • 2 ½ tsp. Heinen’s dried oregano
  • 2 tsp. Heinen’s garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. Heinen’s onion powder
  • ¾ cup Heinen’s shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Heinen’s extra virgin olive oil spray

For the Parmesan Garlic Sauce

  • 5 oz. container Fage 2% Greek yogurt, plain
  • 3 Tbsp. Heinen's 24-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 2-3 Tbsp. water
  • ½ tsp. Heinen's garlic powder
  • Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Spray a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Combine the quinoa, water and ½ tsp. of kosher salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer and cover. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to stand 5 minutes, covered. Remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Set aside.
  3. In a food processor, pulse the kidney beans 20-30 times, or until mashed but not pureed. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the tomato paste, seasonings and ½ tsp. of kosher salt. Fold in the cooked quinoa and cheese. Stir until well-combined.
  4. Roll the mixture into 12 balls (about 1 ½-2 inches in diameter) and arrange them in a single layer on a sheet pan. Spray with olive oil spray. Bake for 20 minutes.
  5. While the bites bake, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, parmesan cheese, 2 Tbsp. of water and the garlic powder. Season to taste with salt. Add more water for a thinner consistency.
  6. Transfer the pizza bites to a plate and serve warm alongside the parmesan garlic dipping sauce.

Quinoa Pizza Balls

Carolyn Hodges

By Carolyn Hodges

Carolyn is a mom of boys and culinary dietitian in Cleveland, Ohio. The Dinner Shift is dedicated to helping busy moms get dinner on the table after the weekday grind, however that is defined for you and yours.

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