Black Bean Veggie Burgers

*In my attempt to get more vegetables, I've been seeking out vegetarian recipes. I thought this one sounded delicious. I'd never had a veggie burger before, but if they all taste like this, I may just eat them more! I found this recipe on NieNie Dialogues blog, but adjusted it a little.*

Black Bean Veggie Burgers

Ingredients:

1/2 - 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
3 TBSP olive oil
1/2 large red onion, chopped fine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 hot pepper, such as jalapeno or serrano, chopped. (I had a frozen red hot pepper from the garden left over from the summer, so I used that).
1 tsp ground cumin
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/4 cups cooked, brown rice
1 lime
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 small bunch of cilantro

In a mixing bowl, place 1/2 cup of the Panko breadcrumbs, set aside.

Heat 1 TBSP olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onion, sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Saute until soft. Add in garlic and minced pepper. Saute until soft and fragrant. Add the 1 tsp of cumin, stir over heat for about 2 minutes.

Place onion mixture in food processor. Add in beans, rice, juice from 1/2 lime, salt, pepper, and about 1/4 cup of cilantro. Pulse until combined, but not pureed.
Add black bean mixture to breadcrumbs that were set aside. If mixture is too wet, add more breadcrumbs so that you can form patties.

Line baking sheet with plastic wrap. Form patties and place on sheet. I was able to make 7 patties. Place more plastic wrap over patties and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Heat 2 TBSP of olive oil in skillet. Cut burger patties over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side to form a nice crust on the outside and heat through.

Serve with bun, cilantro lime mayo, salsa, and avocado.

I even used a wheat tortilla and made it a wrap. Delish. See below for cilantro lime mayo recipe.

Cilantro Lime Mayo
1/2 cup light mayo
juice from 1/2 lime
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp black pepper
At least 2 TBSP of chopped cilantro, more to taste if you desire.

Pork Milanese

4 pork chop cutlets, works best when they're thin
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup panko bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil
lemon, juiced

Begin by seasoning both sides of the pork with salt and pepper.

Make a breading station. One bowl with the cheese, one with the eggs, and one with the bread crumbs.

Press parmesan cheese on each side of the pork. Dip in the egg, and coat with the bread crumbs.

Heat 3 TBSP of olive oil in a skillet. Cook about 5 minutes on each side of the pork. Repeat.

Serve over a bed of salad greens with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh squeezed lemon juice.

Creamy Sweet Potato and Rosemary Soup

This is a fantastic soup. It's creamy and delicious. I can easily see it on the menu at a place like Zupa's

3 T unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 T olive oil
3 large or 6 small shallots thinly sliced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
2 lbs (about 2-3) sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 stems fresh rosemary
5 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
3 T maple syrup

Melt the butter and oil together over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cook until soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes, rosemary, and chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes are very tender, about 20-25 minutes. Turn off the heat and remove the rosemary stems. Using an immersion blender, blend the mixture until smooth and thick. You can also puree in batches in a blender or food processor. Whisk in mascarpone cheese and maple syrup until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Note: If you don't have mascarpone cheese or can't find it, substitute 4 oz cream cheese blended with 2 T heavy whipping cream and 1 1/4 T sour cream. This is what I did, and it was wonderful.

Red Pepper Sauce

2 Large Red Bell Peppers
2-3 Tlb Vinegar
1/4 - 1/3 cup sugar

Over grill or under broiler roast peppers . Keep peppers whole and get as black nd brown as possible. Cool peppers in a baggie. Slice peppers in half, skin and seed. Finely chop peppers in a food processor. Cook vinegar and sugar to dissolve sugar Add to pepper. Refrigerate to cool. To serve pour a block of cream cheese with crackers on the side.

Baked Brie with Jelly

Ingredients:

1 sheet puff pastry
1 8oz wheel of brie (I personally like to trim off the rind, but it's edible

*about 1/4 cup of jelly (I used the huckleberry red pepper. Traditionally pepper jelly is used, but can be made with any flavor you like. Raspberry jam is popular too. On the cruise ship it was served with a cinnamon apple compote).

1 egg beaten with some water for an egg wash

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Gently unfold the puff pastry sheet. Cut the brie in half lengthwise. Place one round on the pastry. Spread the top with jelly and place the other half of the brie on top. Trim the excess pastry and then fold it over the cheese, sealing the edges. If desired, decorate the top with the excess dough cut into shapes. Brush the top of the pastry with the egg wash.

Place the wrapped brie, seam-down on a baking dish covered with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve with crackers, bread, and fresh fruit like apples or pears. You might want to put some extra jelly/jam on the side for those that want more.

Pioneer Woman's Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients:

2 lbs fresh green beans, ends cut off
4 slices of bacon, cut into pieces
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 large onion, chopped
4 TBSP butter
4 TBSP flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup half and half
1 1/2 tsp salt
ground black pepper, to taste
1/8 tsp cayenne peper
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 jar (4 oz) sliced pimentoes, drained
1 cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions:

Cut beans in half if you like pieces to be a little smaller.

Blanch the green beans: drop them into lightly salted boiling water and allow green beans to cook for about 3-4 minutes. Remove them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice cold water to slow the cooking process. Drain beans once they're cool and set aside.

Add bacon pieces to a skillet over medium heat. Cook the bacon for two minutes, then add diced onion and garlic and continue cooking for 3-5 minutes, or unitl bacon is done and onions are golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a separate skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Sprinkle flour into the pan and whisk immediately to evenly mix it into the butter. Cook for a minute or two, then pour in milk and half and half. Continue cooking, whisking constantly while sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne then add the grated cheese. Stir while cheese melts. Turn off heat.

Add pimentos to the pan, then bacon/onion mixture. Stir to combine. Pour over green beans and stir gently to combine. Pour into baking dish and top with panko bread crumbs.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and crust is golden.

Cranberry Salsa

1 cup cranberries
2 Tbl orange juice
1/3 cup sugar
2 med red peppers diced
3 Tbl toasted pecans, chopped
2 tsp lime zest
1 Tbl orange zest
1 jalopeno diced
salt and pepper

Blend together