Pan-Seared Shrimp and Mushroom Cakes with Lemon-Herb Quinoa

Servings:

4-6 people

Ingredients:

For the quinoa:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tbsp)

For the cakes:

• 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 cup finely chopped mushrooms (such as shiitake or cremini)
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

For the lemon-herb oil:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tbsp)
• 1 tsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp chopped fresh dill

Instructions

Prepare the quinoa:

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
2. Add the quinoa and reduce heat to low.
3. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and fluffy.
4. Fluff the quinoa with a fork.
5. Stir in the olive oil, oregano, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
6. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over the quinoa.

Prepare the cakes:

1. In a food processor, combine the shrimp, mushrooms, garlic, parsley, panko breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper.
2. Process until just combined, being careful not to overprocess.
3. Stir in the softened butter.
4. Divide the mixture into 6-8 portions, depending on desired size.
5. Shape each portion into a patty.

Pan-fry the cakes:

1. Heat about 1/2 inch (1 cm) of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the patties and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy.
3. Serve atop the lemon-herb quinoa.

Prepare the lemon-herb oil:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, and dill.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Drizzle over the quinoa or use as a finishing sauce for the cakes.

Tips

• For an added burst of flavor, serve the shrimp and mushroom cakes with a side of lemon wedges.
• If using fresh herbs, be sure to wash them thoroughly before chopping.
• Experiment with different types of mushrooms or herbs to create variations of this recipe.