Jalapeño Popper Quinoa Bites

No matter how many times I try different recipes involving quinoa, I can not get my girls to like quinoa. No matter how cheesy it is they still do not like it. It has gotten to the point they will not even try it. So when they asked about this recipe, I said it is quinoa and it is going to be spicy, there is leftover pasta for you to have with your dinner. I was not even going to attempt to have them try it. I made it with the intentions for the husband and I to eat it.

I am glad that the girls had no interest in trying these, that meant more for me. More of the delicious, spicy and a little creamy quinoa bites. 

Jalapeño Popper Quinoa Bites

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cups quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup chopped jalapeño peppers
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoon reduced fat cream cheese, cut into small pieces
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:

1. In a medium pot cook the quinoa according to the package directions, using the amount of water listed in the ingredients. When the quinoa is done let cool completely.
2. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Spray a mini muffin pan with cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl combine the cooled quinoa, jalapeños, garlic, eggs, cream cheese and shredded cheese.
4. Place the mixture into the prepare muffin pan filling each cup to the top. If needed use another mini muffin pan for any remaining quinoa mixture.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Carefully remove the quinoa bites from the pan.

Enjoy!!!

Notes:

If you do not have 2 mini muffin pans, you can place any remaining quinoa mixture into a regular sized muffin pan and you will have a few bigger ones.

Nutrition Facts
Serves: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories 166
Total Fat		9.2g
Saturated Fat		4.4g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.6g
Monounsaturated Fat		0.7g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		70.1g
Sodium		155.9g
Potassium		152.1g
Total Carbohydrates		12.5g
Dietary Fiber		1.1g
Sugars		0.4g
Protein		9.2g
Vitamin A 7.5% Vitamin C 11.5%
Calcium 17% Iron 9.6%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Alida's Kitchen.