Recipe: Black Bean Patties with Cucumber Salsa

July 5, 2007 in beans, vegan

Once again in lieu of a hamburger presentation, we ate these in olive oil tortillas from Trader Joes. Those are some great tortillas! I really liked that these were broiled – very easy to clean up. ;) These are rich in flavor and very satisfying.

Salsa:

  • 2/3 c. cucumber, coarsely chopped
  • 2 Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 c. red pepper, coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 c. red onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1 T. fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 t. dried dill
  • pinch of salt & pepper
  • pinch of red pepper flakes

Combine ingredients in a small food processor and pulse a few times until salsa consistency achieved. Refrigerate.

Black Bean Patties:

  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 c. dried breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 c. minced red onion
  • 1/2 t. dried oregano
  • 1/4 t. cumin
  • 1/4 t. black pepper
  • 2 T. silken tofu combined with 1 T. flour (or 1 egg)
  1. Place beans in large bowl, mash partially with a fork.
  2. Stir in all remaining ingredients.
  3. Divide mixture into 4 parts and shape patties.
  4. Turn broiler on high and place rack near flame.
  5. Prepare baking sheet by spraying with cooking spray (I also like to line with foil first). Place patties on sheet and spray tops with cooking spray.
  6. Broil in oven for about 5 minutes per side or until nicely browned.
  7. Serve with cucumber salsa & tortillas. Enjoy!

Based on a recipe from Cooking Light: Black Bean Burgers

Recipe: Red Lentil Patties with Aioli

July 4, 2007 in beans, recipe, vegan

I hope to post a photo of these soon. Unfortunately we ate them so quickly there were none left for a photo shoot! ;) This recipe is based on a red-lentil burger recipe from Cooking Light and I highly recommend it! I made the patties smaller and served them with olive oil tortillas as a wrap. On the side was aioli, lettuce and tomato. Brad also liked the patties alone – so as a snack, burger, or wrapped – enjoy.

Aioli:

  • 1/4 c. vegan mayonnaise
  • 1/2 t. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Combine all ingredients, cover & refrigerate.

Lentil Patties:

  • 2 c. water
  • 3/4 c. dried red lentils
  • 3/4 t. salt, divided
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1/2 c. finely diced carrot
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 c. chopped mushrooms
  • 1 t. dried marjoram
  • 1/2 t. cumin
  • 1/4 t. black pepper
  • 3 T. red wine (if desired)
  • 1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs
  • 1 T. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 T. silken tofu mixed with 1 T flour (or 2 egg whites)
  • olive oil
  • vegetable oil
  1. In a saucepan, combine water, lentils, and 1/4 t. salt. Bring to a boil then cover and lower heat. Simmer for 20 minutes. If there is excess water drain – mine absorbed all the water which is also fine. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. In a non-stick saute pan over med-high heat, add a small amount of olive oil and saute the onions, carrots, and garlic for about 3 minutes. Add 1/2 t. salt, mushrooms, marjoram, cumin, and pepper; cook for another 3 minutes.  Add wine and cook ~1 minute until absorbed.  Remove from heat and add to large bowl.  Let sit for 5 minutes to cool down some.
  3. Add  lentils, lemon juice, and tofu mixture to the onions.  Mix well to combine.  Cover and chill for 30 minutes to help the mixture firm up.  I place the bowl in an ice bath but you could use whatever method is easiest.
  4. Form the lentil mixture into patties – I made them about 2-inches across.
  5. Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in the non-stick pan.  Saute in batches approximately 3-5 minutes per side until nicely browned.
  6. Serve with tortillas to wrap in and aioli.

Day in the Plant Life

July 4, 2007 in Plant Month

I realize it is only July 4th – i.e. 4 days into Plant Month, but so far the experience has been outstanding.  I can imagine a question looming out there is – “what do you eat??”  So here is a picture into my daily diet:

Tuesday:

  • oatmeal with almond butter & dried cranberries
  • Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookie – these have proven to be very handy snacks!
  • large rice 9-Grain Rice bowl with ginger-chili simmered tofu and fresh seasonal veggies from Medicine Eatstation
  • fresh cherries
  • black bean patties with fresh cucumber salsa wrapped in olive oil tortillas
  • cherries, apricot, and strawberries

There are recipes forthcoming, things have been busy over here recently though.  The list of dishes I’m anxious to try keeps growing though, so plenty of excitement on the way.

Happy 4th everyone! :)

Plant Month: Update 1

July 2, 2007 in Plant Month

Plant Month is officially underway!  Yesterday started off really nicely with grocery runs, auto accident, and family party.  Oh wait – the car accident had nothing to do with Plant Month, did it?  Only that it was when leaving Whole Foods with groceries that I swiped the side of the car along a corner.  Sadly the corner won.

This small incident flattened my mood and excitement a bit – although of course it had no relation to the change in my diet. ;)   I made a big salad for lunch and then had a fantastic vegetable salad & delicious fruit salad at the family party I went to.  Followed by some of the Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies I made of course!

My initial impression of Plant Month is that while challenging, this is going to be a great experience!  It really makes me recall my vegetarian days in college – very interesting.  One of my good friends is also participating – she decided that she will include honey in her diet but is working to exclude every other animal food product.  Brad is iffy on participation, but besides the meat, cheese, and milk – he seems to be on board.  ;)

Recipe: Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

July 1, 2007 in dessert, vegan

What a fun way to start the Plant Month – with dessert! :) These cookies are remarkably easy to make. They bake flawlessly and taste great. I took them to a family party and no one thought they were “vegan” or in any other way unusual. Enjoy!

I found this recipe over in Post Punk Kitchen.  I haven’t tried any of their other recipes but I’m sure I will after this.

Ingredients:

  • 6 oz firm silken tofu
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1/4 cup soymilk (I like Vanilla)
  • 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 cups quick cooking oats
  • 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together whole wheat pastry flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
  3. In a mixer cream together peanut butter and sugar with a spatula until well combined.
  4. In a blender, crumble the tofu in, add applesauce, soymilk and oil. Whiz on high until completely smooth. Add this mixture to the sugar mixture and cream together until well combined.
  5. Fold in the oats and flour mixture.
  6. Drop by rounded spoon-fulls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten the tops by lightly pressing with a fork in a criss cross pattern. Bake for 15 minutes.

Try additions: raisins, chocolate chips, etc. These are a good base to add to. :) Next time I think I’ll try almond butter instead of peanut butter.