Black Bean Burgers! Yummy!

 Black Bean Burgers

I have been wanting to make black bean burgers for awhile now.  Today was the day!  I found a youtube video recipe that I really liked!  These are baked, not fried in oil!  I made them up as the video describes and added some more ingredients(left a few out too).  I thought the burgers were a bit on the wet side before I baked them, so I wasn't sure they would work out.  When they were done I was worried!  I took a bite out of one of the crumbly ones and I was worried that my family would not like it.  But I worried for naught!  After dressing the burgers up, Kaitie was asking for seconds, and Andrew was asking why I don't make them more often!  So this recipe is such a keeper!!!  I love when my kids like what I make!  Oh and you must make the chipotle mayo too!  Mmm Mmm!!!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups black beans cooked (Do not buy them in a can)
• 2 slices dry whole wheat bread crumbled into tiny pieces 
• 1/2 green pepper
• 1/2 red onion
• 1 large stalk celery
• 2 mushrooms
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 egg (optional)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika

Directions:

1. Mash your beans in a bowl.
2. Use your food processor and  process all ingredients and add them to your beans.
3. Mix egg and spices, add to bean mix.
4. Mix well by hand.
5. Form flat patties and bake in a preheated 350 oven for 10 min, flip carefully and bake for another 10 mins.  I made 5 very large patties.
6. Serve with your fave burger toppings.  ENJOY!

Chipotle Mayo  

• 3/4 Cup mayo
• 1tsp Dijon Mustard
• 1/4 Lime squeezed
• 1-3 tsp chipotle sauce (or you can mince 1 chipotle pepper)
• A little garlic powder to taste

Combine all ingredients add more or less to your own liking.

Watch this video to see how easy it is!  My recipe is tad bit different.

Submitting this recipe to Burger Club Free-For-All 

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Posted in: beans,Black beans,Recipe

Healthier Cheesecake!

Blueberry/POM Cheesecake

My hubby loves cheesecake!  For his birthday I made him this!  I liked it...but he described it as a cheesecake with no sugar....but that didn't stop him from eating it!  I think next time I make this, I will add dried fruit(soaked for a few hours) to the crust instead of the applesauce.  And maybe a bit more stevia to the cheesecake to make it sweeter for my hubby!

Ingredients:

Crust:
3 tablespoons apple sauce
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup walnuts
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 Tbls honey
1/2 teaspoon stevia

Filling:
3 packages cream cheese (softened)
1/4 cup pom wonderful blueberry juice
1/4 tsp stevia
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup whipping cream

Topping:
1/4 cup pom juice
1 cup fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Preparation:
Grease a 9-13 dish.
Grind nuts and oats in food processor. Add the rest of the crust ingredients. Pulse until a dough forms, then press into the bottom of the dish. refrigerate.

Beat cream cheese for a minute until creamy, and add pomegranate juice a spoonful at a time, vanilla, stevia, and beat until smooth.

In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream to stiff peaks.  Fold heavy cream into cream cheese mixture, until most streaks are gone.  Spread over crust with a spatula, and smooth the top.
Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

For topping, in a saucepan over medium heat mix the pom juice, blueberries.  Combine the water and cornstarch and add to saucepan.  Sauce will thicken as it cools.
When ready to serve pour sauce over individual slices of cake.

ENJOY!

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Posted in: Dessert,Recipe

Pizza Pockets!

Pizza Pockets

I was so surprised at how well these turned out!  I was disappointed when the pockets didn't stay sealed...but after tasting them it didn't matter.  These are so tasty!  The bread is soft and yummy!  I think I may try to add garlic to the dough next time.  So much fun for the kids to make there own too!

 Ingredients

• 4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tbls yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp honey
• 2 tbls olive oil
• 1 1/3 cups warm water

Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl.
Combine wet ingredients in a big measuring cup.
Add the wet to the dry...stir, then kneed.
Wash bowl with warm water and dry.
Let dough rest in warm covered bowl for 20 mins.
Separate into 8 balled pieces.  Keep them covered till ready to roll them out.
Roll each ball out and fill with fave pizza toppings!  Fold and close!
Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 15 mins.
Let cool and Enjoy!

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Posted in: healthy lunch ideas,Recipe,Yeast

Chickpea Taco's!

Chickpea Taco's

Normally I would mash the chickpeas with seasonings to put inside the taco's but today I decided to try something new!  I was inspired by this recipe!  This was another hit with the kids, so will be made again!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chickpeas
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tbls taco seasoning
• 8 corn tortilla shells
• Tomato, diced
• Lettuce, shredded
• cheese, shredded 
• yogurt

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400F.
Mix the soy sauce, lemon juice, and taco seasoning together. Add the chickpeas and toss until well covered. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until crunchy. Assemble tacos and ENJOY!

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Posted in: chickpea,healthy lunch ideas,Recipe

Homemade Tahini and Hummus

Last week while visiting Hallee The Homemaker she posted on how to make your own Tahini Paste.  We all know how expensive tahini paste is!  I can't believe I didn't think of this, can you?  Super easy recipe 2 ingredients!

So today I decided to make some hummus, but first I would have to make some tahini.  Found the recipe, and that was when I realized I didn't have enough sesame seeds!  So  I thought ok I will half the recipe...but then I remembered Hallee also posted recipe that same day to make Sunflower Seed Substitute Tahini Paste !  Well ok!   I have sunflower seeds!  With both sesame seeds and sunflower seeds I still was a bit short.  So I adjusted the oil a little and I made Sesame/Sunflower (tahini)paste!  Mmmm yummy!  No more buying expensive tahini!  Hallee says that the jar should last about 3months in the fridge...but I really don't think my jar will last that long.

Sesame/Sunflower (tahini)paste

• 1cup toasted sesame seeds
• 1cup toasted sunflower seeds
• 1/2cup olive oil 

Put all ingredients into food processor, whirl till mixed!
This is the best tasting Tahini ever!  I am totally addicted to this!  So easy, so yummy!  You really got to try it!


Hummus
I do not have an amazing must make recipe for hummus...Yet.  I just throw in the chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and today I tried seasoning with cumin.  Nothing special but still yummy.  Do you have a good hummus recipe?  Let me know!

Sharing with Ultimate Recipe Swap hosted by Life as a Mom.

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Posted in: chickpea,Recipe,sesame seeds,sunflower seeds

Are you on a QUEST searching for a QUICK dinner? How about QUESADILLA'S!

Today's Letter is Q! 

Quick Quesadilla's

This is a quick and healthy recipe I make that the whole family just loves!  I always use what ever I have in the fridge!  Today this is what I ate for lunch!

I used...

• 1 tomato diced
• 1 green onion sliced
• a handful of cooked black beans(can substitute w/chickpea's, or leftover chicken or beef)
• a handful frozen corn
• 1 part jalapeno pepper, diced real small, no seeds.(this gives it some kick...just enough that kids will still like it)
• shredded marble cheddar cheese

Put what you like in a tortilla, fold in half, bake till cheese is melted!

So simple! So yummy!  No extra seasoning required!

Eat it with a side of salad and Enjoy!
Also if you make some extra this recipe easily freezes for those days when you don't have time to cook!
I hope you have fun with creating your own quesadilla!  
Let me know what you like in yours!

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Posted in: Black beans,healthy lunch ideas,Recipe

Broccoli with Mung Bean Sprouts

Broccoli with Mung Bean Sprouts

2 stalks Broccoli, chopped

3 cups Mung bean sprouts

1/2 cup Sun flower seeds

1 tablespoon Cornstarch

1/2 cup Water

1 1/2 tablespoons Soy sauce

1 teaspoon Sesame oil

Steam broccoli  till tender. Put broccoli and mung beans in a pot/wok and add sunflower seeds. Dissolve starch in 1/2 cup water, add to broccoli and sprout mixture along with soy sauce. Stir, then cover for 2 minutes. When ready to serve drizzle with sesame oil and serve hot.

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Posted in: broccoli,Mung beans,Recipe

Celery Salad

Celery Salad

• 4 chopped Celery Stalks
• 1 cup torn celery leaves
• 2 Tbls Lemon Juice
• 1 Tbls Olive Oil
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1tsp honey

Optional add ins

• raisins
• nuts
• seeds

In a large bowl whisk together all dressing ingredients, then add celery and leaves.
Enjoy!

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Posted in: Celery,healthy lunch ideas,Recipe,salad

Easy Healthy Bruschetta Bread

This is what I had for lunch today!   I make this recipe with what ever buns or bread I have handy!  Focaccia bread is my favorite!  I wanted to make this recipe healthier with leaving out all of the extra oils!   Some oils are healthy for you but once they are heated up all the goodness disappears! I always add oil after the food is cooked!  

This is so tasty I hope you will give it a try and let me know what you think!

Easy Healthy Bruschetta Bread

• Fresh tomato, diced
• Mushroom, diced
• Green onion, sliced thin
• Seasoning, I used a garlic blend with no salt added.
• Mozzarella cheese, small cubes
• Bun

Put all ingredients on a bun and slip into the oven.  Heat until bun is toast and cheese is melted...you do not want to cook the tomatoes.  Enjoy!

This is my comfort food.....Mmmmm!
Sharing with Ultimate Recipe Swap hosted by Life as a Mom.

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Posted in: healthy lunch ideas,Recipe,tomato

Thai Peanut Noodles

Thai Peanut Noodles

This dish was so good!

My son said "Mom you cook the greatest dinners ever!"

Asked Kaitie if it was a keeper?  She nodded yes cause her mouth was full  :)

I think next time I am going to use bean sprouts instead of pasta...so I don't feel so guilty having seconds :)

Pkg of pasta
Mixed vegetables chopped up

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon honey
4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
3 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
4 tablespoons natural peanut butter


Cook your pasta by directions, add veggies in 3 min before pasta is done.
Make sauce.
Drain pasta and veggies.
Mix pasta with sauce and serve!
Enjoy!

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Posted in: healthy lunch ideas,Honey,noodles,Recipe