Category Archives: Beans

How to make amazing burgers out of leftover soup

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If you can’t tell by my posts lately, I love soup! I love leftover soup too but after about 3 days of it, I’m ready for something new. That’s when I usually ship it off to my hubby to share with the guys at work. I learned a cool new way to make burgers from leftover soup from my favorite vegan food blogger Melomeals: Vegan For $3.33 A Day.

Here’s my second try at this, I used leftover Red Lentil, Chickpea & Chili Soup for the burger and served it on rosemary sourdough bread with caramelized onions, spinach and Southwestern Chipotle Sauce. It was so good… like “party-in-your-mouth” good!!

Leftover Red Lentil, Chickpea & Chili Soup Burger with Chipotle Dressing/Sauce

First, I tried it out on leftover Chipotle Split Pea Soup and it was excellent! My hubby and toddler loved it and my hubby requested I put together a batch for him to take to work.

Here’s how you do it:

* Take 1 cup of leftover soup and add it with a liberal 1/2 cup rolled oats and 1 Tbsp golden flax meal…. and that’s it!

* Mix and place in fridge for several hours or overnight – I did overnight, worked out great!

* Shape into patties and cook in cast iron pan on high heat until done.

 

Simple Coconut, Ginger, Carrot Breakfast Bread (Sugar, Soy & Wheat Free)

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Since both my kids decided to nap at the same time today, I had a chance to make this breakfast bread recipe I’ve had my eye on for a few weeks. I’m always on the lookout for healthy but fast breakfast options for busy mornings and this works perfectly! I had leftover shredded carrots from making the Healthy Veggie Muffins a couple of days ago and Chipotle Split Pea Soup last night so this was a perfect way to use them up!

Breakfast bread with peanut butter, orange slices and a glass of almond milk… Yummy!! Toddler and hubby loved this and ate it throughout the day!

The original recipe is from… you guessed it! Melomeals: Vegan For $3.33 A Day, my all-time favorite recipe source and vegan food blog. I changed it up a bit over the past year, I make it often because it’s really good! If you haven’t explored her blog, PLEASE do so!!!

  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon Kal Stevia Powder (I use 1/4 tsp)
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons fresh ginger
  • ¾ cup dried unsweetened coconut
  • 2 large carrots
  • 1 – 15 oz can of white beans and their liquid
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons psyllium husk
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce – I like to use cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar – I used apple cider vinegar
Pre-heat Oven to 375
1.       In a food processor, process oats into flour; place in mixing bowl with the rest of the dry ingredients.
2.       Next, pulse the ginger and carrots in the food processor until really broken up
3.       Add the beans, water, psyllium, applesauce and vinegar and puree until smooth
4.       Add to the dry ingredients
5.       Grease an 8 by 8 square pan and bake at 375 for 45 minutes.
6.       Let cool completely before serving
Oat “Flour”
Ginger & Carrots
Dry Mix
Putting it all together
Add wet to dry
Pour into pan and flatten

Easy Breakfast Bread!

Red Lentil, Chickpea & Chili Soup

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Now that the weather is finally getting colder, I can make all my favorite soups! My toddler has almost perfected the use of a spoon so the timing is perfect!

This soup is one of our favorites and it’s super easy and healthy. This is similar to my Italian’ish Lentil Tomato Soup but with different spices – more of an Indian curry-type soup.

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
  • 1 large pinch chili flakes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 5 ounces red lentils
  • 3 1/2 cups vegetable stock – I use Imagine Brand No-Chicken Broth
  • 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed (can used canned or homemade) – I pressure cook a pound or so a week and use those rather than canned.
  • Salt & Pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
  • Plain soy yogurt  – It’s really good with this, try it!!

Directions:

  1. Heat a large saucepan and dry fry the cumin seeds and chili flakes for 1 min or until they start to jump around the pan and release their aromas. Add the oil and onion, and cook for 5 minutes Stir in the lentils, stock and tomatoes, then bring to the boil. Simmer for 15 mins until the lentils have softened.
  2. Whizz the soup with a stick blender or in a food processor until it is a rough puree, pour back into the pan and add the chickpeas. Heat gently, season well with salt & pepper and stir in the cilantro. Finish with a spoonful of yogurt.


Chipotle Broccoli Quinoa Soup

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This tastes like regular broccoli cheese soup with a kick of chipotle but it’s really healthy, easy to make and dairy-free! The creamy hummus and the nutritional yeast give it a cheezy taste and texture. It only takes about 30 minutes to make. My husband LOVES this soup and scarfed down two bowls for dinner tonight.

I used a batch of Chipotle Hummus to flavor this soup per the recipe from Melomeals: Vegan For $3.33 A Day.

Here’s her recipe for the soup:

* 1 T olive oil
* 1 onion, diced
* 1/2 red pepper, chopped finely
* 6 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 t dried basil
* Several grates fresh nutmeg
* 1/2 t chipotle powder
* 16 oz frozen broccoli florets (or 1 pound fresh)
* 2 cups of  chipotle hummus
* 4 c water/stock
* Bouillon cube if using water
* 1/2 cup quinoa
* 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
* Salt/pepper to taste
* 1 T umeboshi vinegar (optional, but VERY good)


Method:
– Sauté the onion, pepper, garlic, basil, nutmeg and chipotle powder until the onion is soft.

– Add the broccoli, hummus and stock. Bring to a boil for several minutes.

– Turn heat down to low and add the quinoa. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

– Turn off heat and stir in the nutritional yeast and umeboshi vinegar then season with salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper.

Chipotle Hummus

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I love chipotle chili powder! I like to sprinkle it on my popcorn with wheat germ and a little salt. Anytime I see a recipe with chipotle in it I have to try it. This Chipotle Hummus is from one of my favorite vegan food blogs Melomeals: Vegan For $3.33 A Day. She has really delicious recipes and she teaches you how to eat healthy for really cheap by making a few base sauces and using them for other recipes. I pressure cooked a pound of chickpeas (cost me about $1.50) and I used half of them to make this delicious hummus.

My husband loves this hummus! He puts it on sandwiches, tacos and eats it with chips or crackers. I like it with jicama and lime juice or pita chips.

I used a batch of this hummus to make Cheezy Chipotle Broccoli Quinoa Soup (also from Melomeals) which turned out to be an absolutely delicious soup! Tastes like a cheesy broccoli soup with a little chipotle kick! My husband had two bowls and asked if I would save the leftovers for him!

Chipotle Hummus

  • 2 large cloves garlic
  • 1 t Tony’s creole seasoning
  • ¼ t cumin
  • ¼ t coriander
  • 2 c HOT chickpeas (reserve ½ c cooking liquid)
  • 1-2 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 4 T tahini or peanut butter (I used tahini)
  • 2-4 T chickpea cooking liquid as needed or Olive Oil if you aren’t watching  your calories
  • Juice of 2 limes ( around 3 T )
  • ¼ c chopped cilantro (optional)
  • Salt/pepper to taste

Method:

* I blended all the ingredients at once in my VitaMix blender and it turned out great!

* If you don’t have a VitaMix, here’s her food processor instructions:

  1. Pulse garlic and tony’s in food processor until garlic paste is formed
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and puree until totally smooth
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more lime juice if needed.

Black Bean Chocolate Chili

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Black Bean Chocolate Chili

I’ve been making this for a couple of years now and it’s delicious every time! I usually make it in the crock pot but you can make it on the stove if you are in a hurry.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (OR water sauté – I do)
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped onions
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 stalk celery, sliced
  • 1 -2 jalapeno, minced
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 pinch ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped bell peppers (red and green are nice)
  • 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 4 oz (or a small cup) of strong coffee
  • 1 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate (about 1/4 cup)
  • Vegan cheddar cheese (Daiya) or vegan sour cream or green onions, for serving (Optional)
Instructions:
  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté until onions become soft and translucent, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the celery and chile, cover and cook for another five minutes more.
  • Reduce the heat and stir in spices, (cumin, oregano, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, chili powder, black pepper, salt) along with the bell peppers. Cover again and cook for another five minutes. Stir often to keep the spices from burning. If the pan gets too dry add a little liquid from the diced tomatoes, or some water.
  • Next, add the black beans, tomatoes, lime juice (if using), coffee (if using) and soy sauce. Let the chili simmer on low for 5 to 10 minutes, until it thickens slightly and flavors combine.
  • Stir in the chocolate. When chocolate has melted, taste to adjust the salt and pepper. Serve with topping of your choice. I like a bit of vegan cheese, sour “cream” and scallions.
  • Chili can also makes a great filling to serve wrapped in flour tortillas, or in taco shells if you prefer.
** Crock Pot Method:
– Saute the onions for about 7-10 minutes in olive oil
– Add garlic and peppers and saute a bit more.
– Add spices and sautéed for a minute then transferred to crock pot
– Add all other ingredients
– Cooked on low for 6 hours (or high for about 4 hours)
I served this with Bread Machine Pesto Bread tonight but I usually serve it with cornbread. Yum!