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Couscous-Broccoli-Cheese Patties

Golden vegetarian patties made with broccoli, couscous, cheese, and egg. They are crispy on the outside, soft inside, cheap to make, and easy enough for first-time cooks.

Meal type: SnackMain ingredient: VegetablesTime: 25 minutesFood type: VegetarianDifficulty: EasyServings: 2 servings, makes about 5 patties
beginner-friendlybudget-friendlylow-effort

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Ingredients

  • 250 g broccoli, fresh or frozen
  • 100 g couscous
  • 120 ml hot broccoli cooking water
  • 1 tsp vegetable stock powder
  • 80 g grated cheese, such as Gouda
  • 1 egg
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Optional: 1/2 tsp paprika powder or garlic powder
  • 1-2 tbsp oil, for frying

Steps

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. If using fresh broccoli, cut it into small florets.
  2. Cook the broccoli for 2-4 minutes, until it is tender but still bright green.
  3. Scoop the broccoli out of the water and let it cool slightly. Keep at least 120 ml of the hot broccoli cooking water.
  4. Finely chop the cooked broccoli.
  5. Put the couscous in a bowl. Stir in the vegetable stock powder.
  6. Pour 120 ml hot broccoli cooking water over the couscous. Cover the bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes, or follow the soaking time on the package if it is different. The couscous will soften and absorb the liquid.
  7. Fluff the couscous with a fork.
  8. Add the chopped broccoli, grated cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and optional paprika or garlic powder. Mix until you get a soft but shapeable mixture.
  9. Divide the mixture into 5 portions. Shape them into patties about 1 cm thick.
  10. Heat the oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
  11. Fry the patties for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and firm enough to flip.
  12. Serve warm as a snack.

Beginner Notes

  • Use regular couscous that softens in about 5 minutes according to the package. Do not use pearl couscous, because it cooks differently.
  • The couscous is not eaten raw. It becomes soft when it absorbs the hot broccoli water.
  • If the mixture feels too wet, let it sit for 5 minutes so the couscous can absorb more moisture.
  • If the patties break while flipping, make them a little smaller and wait until the bottom is properly golden before turning.
  • Medium heat is better than high heat. High heat can burn the outside before the inside firms up.