Steal This Recipe® Cheddar Millet Cakes

From Executive Chef Jon Gatewood of Green Mountain at Fox Run

'Stolen with permission' from Executive Chef Jon Gatewood from the Green Mountain at Fox Run Spa, these crispy Cheddar Millet Cakes have become a must-have on the spa menu at the women’s live-in healthy weight loss program in Ludlow, Vermont.

Developed by Chef Jon, the millet cakes have a satisfying texture and a rich flavor delivered by the cheddar cheese, local Vermont cheddar, of course! Diet food this is not. In fact, the word “diet” is not even used at Green Mountain because their philosophy, for the past 38 years, has been that diets make you fat, eating can make you healthier and, ultimately, enable you to find your healthy weight.

Millet is an ancient grain, and is used throughout the world as a staple food - in China, Africa, and India it is used in various culinary forms; as a porridge, ingredient in different breads, soups, and cakes. It is highly nutritious, rich in B vitamins and high in protein, potassium and minerals.

Green Mountain is a place where women can learn about a mindful approach to both eating healthfully and becoming more active; improving their overall health in the process. The menu focuses on whole foods and includes locally grown grass-fed beef, pastured chicken and organic produce whenever possible, and features alternative grains like millet, and seeds like quinoa that are unfamiliar to a lot of their visitors.

About the chef: Jon Gatewood has been cooking professionally for over 25 years. Starting in Colorado, Jon graduated with honors from The School of Culinary Arts in Denver, and eventually became the chef of The Palace Arms Restaurant in the Brown Palace Hotel, Denver. John and his family headed east to Vermont in 1999 where he was chef at some of the fine dining establishments in Manchester, and later opened his own restaurant, Gatewood’s, in Danby, Vermont.

Chef Jon has been at Green Mountain since April 2007 and, along with the nutrition staff, has been instrumental in creating menus that are innovative, while meeting the health expectations of Green Mountain participants. He has shifted his focus to using local Vermont ingredients and sourcing from sustainable purveyors and organic farmers throughout the New England region. In addition to turning out three fabulous meals each day, Jon also teaches cooking classes, both group and private, to the Green Mountain clients so they can recreate his healthful cuisine in their own kitchens back home.

Green Mountain at Fox Run
Fox Lane, Box 164
Ludlow, Vermont 05149
802.228.8885

This recipe makes 12 cakes: 6 servings.

Cheddar Millet Cakes Ingredients:
4 cups water
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon onion powder
¾ cup millet
¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Nonstick cooking spray

Steal This Recipe® Step by Step Instructions:
Preheat oven to 450° F. 
In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. 
Add the salt, garlic powder, paprika and onion powder. 
Stir in millet and return to a slow simmer. 
Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until water is absorbed and millet is tender; about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and spread out on a cookie sheet, sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, to cool. Once the millet is cool, mix in the cheese, either in bowl or right on the cookie sheet and scoop into 1/4-cup balls. 
Arrange the balls on prepared cookie sheet. 
Spray the tops with nonstick cooking spray and press to about 1-inch thick cakes. 
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Image varies from recipe.