Sweet Potato and Quinoa Burgers with Caramelized Onions and Blue Cheese | Fork Knife Swoon

There are strong hints of summer’s impending arrival in our part of the South, with the weather getting ever warmer and daylight stetching longer and longer. Our vegetable garden is humming along, soaking in sunshine and bursting with new blossoms and quickly-developing fruit. The rampant humidity that clings heavily in the air during the summer months is sneaking in too, bolstered by the rising temperatures. Something about it, or maybe just because the Honey is still away, has me feeling a bit nostalgic this week.

I’ve been thinking back to nearly a year ago, how, stepping off the plane in Georgia – still dressed for chilly, foggy San Francisco – the steamy, stifling air hit me like a ton of bricks. My mind raced as I trekked through the airport towards baggage claim, so looking forward to seeing my Honey there waiting, and all-the-while wondering what this new place would really be like; whether living here would be anything like visiting, and if my leap of faith would leave me on solid ground.

Those worries were unfounded, and we have built a happy little life together here in the South, and well, maybe all of this is just a drawn-out way of saying that I miss him. I knew what his job entailed from the beginning; that there would be long periods of time when we are apart, of me missing him. Still, there are moments, and days, when the evening air is warm and welcoming, and my pragmatism is trumped by emotion and I just wish he was here.

The cure for such sentimentality is always to cook something comforting, and I set about making a new, hearty veggie burger recipe, starring my very favorite vegetable: the sweet potato. The result is a healthy and flavorful sweet potato and quinoa burger, topped with big rings of caramelized red onion and a generous sprinkling of blue cheese, perfect for warm summer nights, with – or without – your Honey.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Sweet Potato and Quinoa Burgers with Caramelized Onions and Blue Cheese | Fork Knife Swoon

Sweet Potato and Quinoa Burgers with Red Onion and Blue Cheese


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 1 cup sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/2 cup panko (Japanese-style bread crumbs)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly-ground black pepper
  • 1 medium-sized red onion, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rings
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the sweet potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until fork tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the sweet potatoes, quinoa, panko, egg, garlic and spices until well combined. Form into four flat patties, about 3/4-inch thick.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a griddle or large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties until they reach a deep golden brown and are cooked through, 4-5 minutes per side.
  4. While the patties are cooking, heat the remaining olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the balsamic vinegar, and stir to combine. Add the onion slices to the skillet, leaving a bit of room between each. Cook for 3-5 minutes, flipping once, until the onions have softened.
  5. Top each bun with a burger, and divide the onion rings and blue cheese among them. Top with desired condiments and serve warm.