Black Bean Quinoa “Crab” Cakes

(adapted from VeganGoodEats)

Ingredients (makes about five servings- 1 serving= 3 cakes):

• 1 (15 oz) can black beans
• 1 c. cooked tri-color quinoa (~1/2 c. dry)
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/4 c. chopped green pepper
• 1 T tomato paste
• 1 T extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 T lemon juice
• 1.5 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
• 1/2 T Nutritional Yeast
• Pepper to taste
• 1/2 c. bread crumbs (I used 2 slices of Ezekiel Bread which had been toasted dry and then put into the food processor)
• 1 t. extra virgin olive oil
• Dash Old Bay Seasoning

Directions:

1) In a medium sauce pan, cook quinoa for 15 minutes.

2) While quinoa is cooking, rinse and drain beans with water. Then, in a medium bowl, mash up the beans until it reaches a uniform consistency.

3) Mince garlic and chop peppers. Then add garlic, peppers, tomato paste, EVOO, lemon juice, Old Bay, black pepper, and nutritional yeast to beans. Mix until well combined.

4) On a plate, combine bread crumbs, EVOO, and Old Bay.

5) Form small 2-inch patties, roll it in bread crumbs and set aside.

6) In a large skillet, cook patties 5 minutes on each side, or until patty reaches a golden brown color.