Chipotle Lentil Burgers

June 14, 2012 by aprilcball

I’ve had my eye on this recipe for a while so I decided to try it since my hubby requested burgers this week. SO GLAD I DID because this one’s a keeper!!! This was a little too spicy for our toddler since I left the seeds in the ancho chiles. I’m going to remove more seeds next time I make it and see if she likes it. I’m sure she will!

: Chipotle Lentil Burgers

I served these in collard wraps instead of buns but you can do as you like. I topped the burger with Cashew Basil Cheese, leftover from Portobello Mushroom Pizzas. Yummy!!!

The original recipe is from “Appetite for Reduction: 125 Fast and Filling Low-Fat Vegan Recipes cookbook by Isa Chandra Moskowitz (Buy it here). Her recipes are AWESOME! I love her other book, Veganomicon too.

Ingredients:

* Bean cooking liquid/water for saute

* 1 small red onion, cut into medium dice

* 1/2 pound zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/2 inch thick (about 2 medium to large-sized zucchinis)

* 3 cloves garlic, minced

* 1 (15oz) can cooked lentils, drained and rinsed (1 1/4 cups)

* 1 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro, chopped (stems and leaves) 1 (15-ounce) can cooked lentils, drained and rinsed (1 1/4 cups)

* 1 1/2 cup bread crumbs (Recipe called for 1 cup but I needed more. I’m going to try using rolled oats or quick oats next time, maybe let the mixture sit overnight before cooking)

* 1/4 cup chipotles in adobo sauce, seeds removed if you wish (I didn’t remove any and they were nice and spicy but not too hot)

* 2 Tbsp soy sauce

* 2 tsp red wine vinegar

* 2 tsp smoked paprika

Directions:

1. Saute onion for about 3 minutes, use bean liquid/water to keep from sticking. Add zucchini, garlic and cilantro and sauté for 7-10 minutes, until the zucchini is soft. 2. Transfer veggie mixture to food processor, add all other ingredients EXCEPT 1 cup breadcrumbs – SAVE FOR LATER. Pulse until mostly smooth, transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. Add remaining breadcrumbs and mix with a fork to combine. 4. Divide burger mixture into six equal pieces and form patties with your hands. 5. Spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray (just a little!) to keep them from sticking. Cook burgers about 10-12 minutes turning a few times until done. I cooked three at a time.

: Chop your veggies!

: Saute onions

: Add zucchini, garlic and cilantro

: Add veggie mixture to food processor with all other ingredients but RESERVE SOME BREADCRUMBS – pulse to combine

: Pulse until almost smooth

: Add remaining breadcrumbs and combine with fork

: Form into six patties (stray zucchini in there, I see…)

: Don’t crowd them in your pan, flip a few times until done

: Done! Gee, this pic makes them look burnt but they aren’t, PROMISE!

: Rolled mine up in collard greens… yummy!

: Now that’s a burger!!

Ancho Lentil Bowls with Low-fat Vegan Nacho Cheese (kidtestedfirefighterapproved.com)

Gingered Tofu & Zucchini (AND a little chit-chat)

January 24, 2012 by aprilcball

I’m a wee bit behind on blog posts… about 30 to be exact! Oops! My son will be 6 months old tomorrow, we moved him into his crib last month (our computer is in his room – my office/his room type of thing) and it’s been hard to get on the computer for any length of time. I cranked up his white noise machine tonight so I can get some of these posts out to you!

He starts solid food tomorrow too… yay!! Baby food recipes coming your way!

Anyways, we have made a few changes to our diet over the past month with the help of an awesome plant-based Registered Dietician – Elisa Rodriquez from EatUrVeggies.com. She’s helped us a A TON and I’ve never felt better! I started Crossfit three months ago and I am SO HAPPY with my overall appearance right now… I look and feel better than I did BEFORE I had both of my kids!!

If you need a little push or a little direction with your plant-based diet, talk to Elisa!!! She’s awesome and very reasonably priced!

A few of the changes we’ve made from this learning process:

* Cut out added oils and salt

* Stopped eating bread more than twice a week MAX

* Switched to eating more whole foods (cut out flour, etc… well, for special occasions!)

SO you may see my recipes changing a bit. I need to post the ones I’m behind on but after that you may see a change in the type of recipes I choose to cook OR I will be altering them to suit our new dietary path. 🙂

OK! Onto the food!

This recipe is from one of my favorites – Melomeals Vegan For $3.33 A Day… LOVE HER!! This is a really easy recipe, perfect for a busy evening!!

Gingered Tofu & Zucchini

My daughter loves this! I serve this over quinoa or brown rice OR I make it into Spicy Noodles! (Post to follow… that’s a GOOD RECIPE!)

Gingered Zucchini and Tofu

Cooking spray
7 oz extra firm tofu cut into small cubes – I used one block Trader Joe’s Organic High Protein Tofu
1 large zucchini, medium chop I used 3 for extra veggies
1 large onion, diced
5 large cloves garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
¾ cup water
Smoked Sea Salt to taste
Soy Sauce to taste
Black Pepper to taste
Siracha if desired, to taste

In a screaming hot cast iron (medium high heat) add the tofu, onion and zucchini. Let it stay there until the tofu starts to come away from the pan. This will give it a nice caramelization.
Now add the garlic and ginger along with the water and a pinch of salt.
Stir well and cover for 5 minutes, add soy sauce, more smoked sea salt, pepper and siracha to taste

Tofu, zucchini & onion ready

Add to HOT pan

Now add garlic, ginger and water

Add soy sauce, pepper, smoked salt and sriracha to taste

Healthy Low-Fat Veggie Muffins

October 25, 2011 by aprilcball

Need a way to sneak a couple servings of veggies into your daily diet? These healthy muffins are really easy to make and they taste awesome! You can eat these for breakfast or for a quick snack.

I found this recipe on the Veg News website, they always have a ton of great recipes.

Low-Fat Veggie Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

What You Need:

1/3 cup hot water
1⁄4 cup ground flaxseed
1/3 cup agave nectar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup applesauce
1 cup grated zucchini
1 cup grated carrot
1 grated apple
1-3⁄4 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

What You Do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small cup, add water and ground flaxseed, stirring with a fork. Let it sit for 5 minutes, until mixture thickens. (This is your “egg” mixture)

2. In a small bowl, combine agave nectar, maple syrup, vanilla, and applesauce. Add in zucchini, carrot, and apple. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. To agave mixture, add flaxseed mixture and stir to combine. Mix dry ingredients to wet, and stir to combine.