(Some thoughts about sunset, reddish and orange tones and what’s in between)
The reddish and orange light that covers the skies is a sign of the day that is over. So much comfort there is in this shade of light. Both joy and sadness, and all because of the tones of light. Isn’t beautiful sunset is something no one can be indifferent to? To the golden light that floods the sky. The Golden Hour. It’s the light that always brings a bit of excitement. Every day eventually ends, even the best day, even the worst day.
Why is Sunset so romantic? Why is it so quiet, on the verge of fragile? What’s in it? How many photos of sunset we’ve tried to take in our life time? And aren’t these pictures (almost) always disappointing? not close to how sunset really looks and feels.
Remember when we were kids, we used to think that the sun leaves at sunset. Well, the night is coming, now the sun will leave and the moon will come to replace it. I remember my children discovering the moon in daylight for the first time and simply in awe of the fact that the sun and the moon live side by side, in the same piece of sky, they didn’t understand how the moon is up there in the sky at day time! I must admit that to this day it’s a bit vague to me that the sun actually revolves around us and “takes a trip” around the world at night, vague and charming. The things the sun sees, so many people and places.
You have to admit it’s a bit weird that this great sun, the source of life, had never seen the night. I mean, of course the sun didn’t see the night (…) but we have this feeling that the sun is always there and it’s all so powerful, but the sun doesn’t know what night is. It feels like it tries to peek, but will never be able to know what night is, what it is to stare at the stars, what a tremendous and amazing thing the moon can be, the moon that the sun knows only as something so pale.
It must be nice for the moon, the night. This is the moon chance to star, seize ownership of the sky, show off a little. I wonder if it bugs the moon that the sun can’t see how beautiful it is, how it also can make hearts skip a beat.
The reddish and orange light that covers the sky is a sign that the sun’s shift is over and now comes the moon’s turn. The sky will be under its control, at least till the next time the sky will get the same reddish hue.
These wonderful quinoa patties are tasty, vegan, baked and also has beet in it. What else can you ask for? They will be excellent with salad on the side, or even just in a pita bread.
Quinoa and Beet Patties
12 patties
Ingredients:
1/2 cup quinoa (before cooking)
1 medium size raw beet, finely grated and well drained (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup green onions, sliced
1/2 cup chopped parsley, chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
5 thyme springs, leaves picked (about 1 tablespoon)
4 tablespoons raw tahini
1 tablespoon balsamic cream
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
oil spray
Instructions:
1. Cook the quinoa- rinse and drain well the quinoa. There are two main methods to cook quinoa- the first is like rice and the second is like pasta. I cook it like rice- in a small pot put 1 tablespoon of olive oil and toast the rinsed quinoa for about 1 minute. Add water in a 2:1 ratio (in favor of the water), meaning- one cup of water, cover the pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to minimum and cook the quinoa till all water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Let cool.
2. Prepare the beets- wash and scrub well the beet under warm water and then grate it finely on a hand grater. Squeeze the grated beet well. It’s important to squeeze and drain the grated beets so that the patties won’t fall apart.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. In a large mixing ball place the cooked quinoa, grated and drained beets, green onions, parsley, walnuts and thyme. Add balsamic cream, tahini, salt (at least 1 teaspoon in my opinion but up to taste) and black pepper, and mix well. The texture should be sticky and not crumbly, if crumbly- add more tahini to the mixture.
4. Form 2-inch/5 cm patties from the mixture and put the patties on a baking pan lined with parchment paper, spray the patties with oil spray and bake in the oven for about 30 minutes, till the patties are golden and pretty.
5. The patties are kept well in the refrigerator, up to 4 days.
Notes:
• If you don’t have balsamic cream, you can use regular balsamic vinegar- just double the amount. Keep in mind we actually adding liquids to the mixture so balance it with an extra half a tablespoon of raw tahini.
• Taste the mixture before forming the patties to check seasoning.
• Beet juice is so healthy for you, so when squeezing the beets you should save the juice and drink it :).
Leave a Reply