Showing posts with label low fat cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label low fat cooking. Show all posts

Saturday, 24 September 2011

Black and Green

Burgers have been a big part of my little families diet for... well a long time. As we've made the transition to a plant based diet, our lack of burgers has been the hardest part on my boys (harder than switching up our milk, cutting out yogurt - everything.) So, when I made these burgers, I served them with much trepidation. To my shock - and extremely pleasure - my boys love these! Darius told me they're the best burgers he's ever had, and my amazing Husband proudly told my brother that they were in fact veggie burgers, and not made of meat. If you're ready to dive into a burger that will lower your cholesterol - instead of the very popular alternative - give these a whirl. Oh, and don't be scared of the green color - when they're baked, they turn brown!

Blackbean and Greens Burger 
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup unsalted sunflower seeds

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided

  • 5 cups chopped greens (such as kale, swisschard, spinach)

  • 1 cup chopped onion (1 medium)

  • 2 cloves fresh pressed garlic

  • 1 can black beans (19 oz), drained, rinsed and shaken dry (about 2 cups)

  • 1/2 cup old fashioned oats 

  • 3 tsp parsley

  • 3 tsp cumin

  • salt and pepper to taste

  • Directions
    1. In frying pan, toast sunflower seeds over medium-low heat until fragrant, about 5 minutes; transfer to food processor.
    2.In same frying pan, heat 1 tbsp of the oil medium heat; saute greens, chopped onion, garlic and salt and pepper to season, stirring occasionally, until greens are bright and soft, about 5 minutes. Add to food processor.
    3. Combine. Mix in oats and parsley. Add more oats if mixture looks too wet. Form mixture into patties. Cover burgers with plastic wrap and cool in fridge for at least 30 minutes*.
    4.Preheat oven to 350°F. Place burgers on a lightly greased sheet pan (or use a non-stick baking pad) and bake 15 minutes. Flip burgers and bake another 10 minutes until firm and lightly crispy.
    5.Top burger with garnishes and serve on toasted buns.
    * letting the burgers set in the fridge is EXTREMELY important. The longer the burgers set, the better they'll hold together.
     
    We ate these burgers with cabbage salad, guacamole, grainy mustard, sprouts, and spinach. So delicious! Seriously, my mouth is watering just thinking of these...they'll definitely be on the menu for next week!
     
    Have you tried out a new recipe lately?

    Tuesday, 20 September 2011

    For Spenser

    I have a sweet little cousin, who has just entered kindergarten this year. Spenser is a superhero at heart, plays make believe with abandon, reads up a storm, and builds[and tests!] jumps for his bike. At five years old he has a bigger personality [and more confidence] than most adults I know! Spenser and his parents [my very young aunt and uncle] came and visited this summer on their way through to a family reunion. While at my home, Spenser enjoyed my Lemon PoppaSeed 'cupcakes' and loved them so much that I thought I'd re-post the recipe for him. I've tweaked it a bit to make it healthier more delicious, and think it will be a wonderful addition to my sweet cousins school snacks. Enjoy Spenser!




    PoppaSeed* 'Cupcakes' created by me!

    1 tbsp vanilla soy milk
    1 tbsp water
    1/4 cup grape seed oil
    2/3 cup apple sauce mixed with 1tsp-1tbsp lemon juice
    1/4 cup honey

    1 3/4 cup flour
    2 tbsp poppyseed
    1 tbsp lemon zest
    1/4 tsp lemon extract
    2 1/2tsp baking powder
    2 1/2tsp baking soda
    1/2 salt
    1/2 cup confectioners sugar
    2 1/2 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

    1. Preheat oven to 375F. Grease a 24 mini muffin tin,
    2. beat milk, oil, lemony apple sauce, and honey together. Stir in flour, poppyseeds, lemon zest, lemon extract, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined. Spoon into muffin tins, filling roughly 3/4 of the way.
    3. In a separate bowl, mix together fresh lemon juice and confectioners sugar. This is your glaze.
    3. Bake at 375F for 8 minutes, or until just golden. Drizzle with glaze immediately and let cool on rack.

    These are soooo good! Very lemony, so if you like your poppyseed with only a hint of lemon adjust accordingly. I call them 'cupcake' because really they're muffins, but the glaze makes them taste like dessert. Darius and I prefer these without the glaze, so don't be afraid to skip the extra sweetness. The amazing thing is, with honey instead of white sugar, and no dairy or eggs, these muffins are great if you're on a cholesterol lowering or vegan diet, and you won't feel deprived!

    *if you're wondering about the alternate spelling for poppyseed, it comes from my sweet Darius, who had a Poppa that LOVES poppyseed muffins.

    Saturday, 2 July 2011

    Oh Canada!

    If you're looking for the awesome sauce giveaway here it is! If you've been reading for a while, but haven't become a 'follower' of the blog, make sure you do so and enter the giveaway today!



    Holidays are a great excuse reminder to make everyday memorable. I love the excitement in the air that accompanies celebrations, and thought I'd get myself in the Canada Day spirit by making a color co-ordinated supper. And the results? Simply delicious!




    Red and White Chili
    by me!

    1 parsnip, diced
    1/2 white onion, diced
    2 beets, diced
    1 sweet potato, diced
    2 can black beans, drained and rinsed
    1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
    1 can diced tomatoes
    2 cartons chicken broth
    1-2 tsp garlic
    1 1/2 tsp cumin
    1 tsp marjoram
    2 tsp chili powder
    1/2 tsp paprika
    three bay leaves

    Add all ingredients to a crock pot, stir to mix ingredients, then set on high and cook for a couple of hours. After two to three hours, turn the crock pot down to low, and let simmer until ready to serve.

    Garnishes: Greek yogurt, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, tortilla chips, avocado slices - all together, or just one!

    Do you have any favorite holiday recipes?