Millet and Beet Fritters

We have been trying a lot new recipes and each one seems to be better than the next. Funny how that goes with recipe sampling.  I seem to have a string of hits and then, inevitably, a string of misses.   I had a feeling this one might be enjoyed at our home because it included beets (one of Jos and Don's most requested veg) and was in a little patty shape which has become a new favourite.  See these white bean beauties and our recent Swiss chard cakes for other examples of our veggie cake love.

The original recipe called these Beet Burgers, but I knew if I tried to sell these as burgers to the family I would get 3 noses turned up at me.  Sometimes the name of a dish can be the selling point with kids.  The seeds create great crunchy texture and the soy sauce in these adds a real salty element that begs for something fresh on the side.  A simple green salad pairs well with the savoury patties.  We enjoyed ours with a little goat cheese on top, but some Greek yogurt would be good too.

If you haven't tried millet before, I urge you to give it a try.  It is an inexpensive whole grain that cooks up very easily in a short amount of time.  It is gluten free, high in protein and magnesium with little flavour when eaten on it's own.  It is a clever grain to give to picky kids because it absorbs the flavours of whatever it is cooked with while providing them with energy and nutrients they need.  My kids always call it couscous and I haven't corrected them yet.  Why not let them think it's pasta?

Millet Beet Fritters

adapted from: cates world kitchen
1 cup grated beets
3/4 cup cooked millet
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/8 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp spelt flour
2 gloves garlic
1 tsp soy sauce
Greek yogurt (optional)
goat cheese (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment.  In a large bowl, combine the flour, seeds, bread crumbs and millet.  Add the oil, garlic, soy sauce, onion and beets and mix well.  Shape into patties with your hands or use a round cookie cutter to shape.  It's a fairly sticky mixture.  Bake for 10 min and then CAREFULLY flip and bake for another 10min.  Top with Greek yogurt or goat cheese.  Serve with fresh greens.