Breakfast

My mother had several rules when it came to meals: Meals had to be eaten at the table (except when my parents went out for the evening; then my sister and I could eat our TV dinners in the living room in front of the television); the television should not be on during meals (see previous comment); and one could not have breakfast any time other than first thing in the morning.

There did come a time, after I'd moved out, when I discovered Mom eating dinner in the living room with my sister, both of them sitting on the floor, watching the television. If I remember correctly, they were watching Star Trek reruns on the local independent station. My sister still lived at home, and she later told me that that happened at least once a week. But breakfast for dinner? Um, no.

I have no problem eating meals at the "wrong" time: breakfast for dinner, pie first thing in the morning...whatever.

To that end, here are six breakfast recipes that you can fix any time of the day or night, including an Egg White Frittata with Cheddar and Veggies, Cocoa Pancakes, and Pirate Eggs. Enjoy...at any time!

Note: The Pirate Eggs have also been posted on my newest food blog, Cooking with Grandma Robin. You can find it here.

Mom

JIFFY CORN MUFFIN MIX PANCAKES

This is from Sara Bir, a senior editor at Simply Recipes. Sara wrote, "I have strong feelings about what makes pancakes good, so it’s surprising that the best cornmeal pancakes I’ve ever had came from a mix. They couldn’t be easier to make, and of course, I found out about them from my mom.

"Mom started making Jiffy corn muffin mix pancakes long after I’d grown up and left home, but she served them a few times when I was around for holidays and visits. Recently, while researching corn pudding—some versions of which rely on Jiffy corn muffin mix—I remembered mom’s pancakes and decided to make them myself."

To read the rest of what Sara wrote, as well as seeing this online, go to https://www.simplyrecipes.com/moms-jiffy-corn-muffin-mix-pancakes-recipe-8384425.

This recipe makes 8 to 10 pancakes.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

1 egg

1 (8.5)-ounce box Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix

1/4 cup milk, plus more as needed

Butter and maple syrup or apple butter for serving

Directions

Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter. I do this on the griddle I’ll be using to cook the pancakes (you can brown the butter if you like). Set aside to cool a bit.

Meanwhile, beat an egg (any size will do) in a medium bowl. Add the corn muffin mix and 1/2 cup milk and stir just until combined. Then stir in the melted butter; do not wipe off the griddle or skillet. It’s okay if the mix has some lumps. If it’s quite thick, add a tablespoon or two more milk.

Return the skillet or griddle to the burner and heat over medium heat until a few droplets of water flicked from your hand sizzle and dance on the griddle. For each pancake, pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the griddle. The pancakes are delicate and easier to handle when they are smaller, so resist the temptation to make them larger.

Cook the pancakes for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side, flipping once the edges begin to dry out and bubbles appear in the center. Then cook a few minutes on the other side until lightly golden brown.

Repeat, griddling the pancakes until all of the batter is used up. I find the batter thickens as it sits and I need to add more milk bit by bit as I make my way through the bowl. You’ll probably need to gradually turn the heat down to medium-low as you cook subsequent pancakes. My griddle is very well-seasoned and I don’t grease it in between batches, but you may need to keep your pancakes from sticking.

Serve hot, with whatever accouterments you like.

Simple Tip!

I keep the pancakes warm on a baking sheet in a 180°F oven for up to 30 minutes.

CINNAMON-APPLE FRENCH TOAST

This vegan recipe, from page 38 of the October 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, starts off, “Tart apples like Pippin, Empire, Winesap and Granny Smith retain their shapes when cooked, so choose them for this recipe.” Serves 6 in 30 minutes or less.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Apple Topping

4 large tart, firm apples, peeled, cored and sliced

3 Tbs. sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

French Toast

2 cups plain or vanilla soymilk

1/2 cup apple butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

12 slices soft-crust French bread, sliced 1/2 inch thick

Directions

To make Topping: Coat nonstick skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium-high heat. Saute apples 5 to 7 minutes, or until softened. Reduce heat to medium. Add sugar and cinnamon, and cook 5 to 10 minutes more, or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in lemon juice, and remove from heat.

To make French Toast: Blend soymilk, apple butter, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in blender until smooth. Pour into shallow bowl.

Coat nonstick skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium heat. Dip bread slices into batter, coating evenly. Cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned. Place 2 slices bread on each plate, and divide topping among servings.

Per serving: 273 cal; 6 g protein; 1.5 g total fat (0.5 g sat. fat); 55 g carb; 0 mg chol; 345 mg sodium; 3 g fiber; 25 g sugars

COCOA PANCAKES

This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 95), in an article featuring Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI. The recipes begins, "Not only does Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI feature hearty vegetarian breakfasts (and bedside cordials in the evening), but the owners try to meet any special dietary needs, especially those of vegans. Their vegan cocoa pancakes are among the recipes most requested by vegan and nonvegan visitors. This recipe makes 18 to 20 pancakes—and they can be prepared in just 30 minutes or less!" Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/cocoa-pancakes/.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 Tbs. granulated sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 cups chocolate soymilk

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup carob chips

Preparation

Sift flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into mixing bowl. Whisk in chocolate soymilk and oil until just combined. Stir in vanilla extract. Let batter sit 5 minutes before cooking.

Spray large nonstick skillet or griddle with cooking spray, and heat over medium heat. When hot, ladle on 1/4 cup batter for each pancake. Sprinkle pancakes with several carob chips. Cook 2 minutes, and turn when tops begin to bubble and edges start to look dry. Cook 2 minutes more, and remove to plate. Serve with maple syrup or vanilla soy yogurt and fresh fruit.

EGG WHITE FRITTATA WITH CHEDDAR AND VEGGIES

This is from WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers). It begins, "Sticking to just egg whites in a frittata lets you save room all the flavorful, cheesy goodness on top here. Plus, it had all that filling protein you'd expect in an egg-based main dish so that you feel satisfied. Use this versatile recipe as a jumping-off point for many variations. Other fillings to try: sliced button mushrooms, grated summer squash, diced tomatoes, and flavorful minced shallots. Frittatas are a welcome starring attraction whether it's brunch, lunch, or dinner and leftovers are a gift. Wrap up a wedge in a lettuce leaf for a low-carb lunch or reheat it in the microwave and roll it up in a tortilla for a quick and portable breakfast on the go."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Serves: 4; Serving Size: 1 wedge; Difficulty: Easy; 8 points

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cup egg whites (about 8 large eggs)

1/2 tsp table salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 tsp olive oil

2 bell peppers, medium, any color, diced

1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

8 oz (about 1 cup) reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded

2 medium scallions, sliced on diagonal

Directions

Whisk together egg whites, salt, and pepper in large bowl until frothy.

Heat oil in 10-inch heavy ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add egg whites and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to set, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat and cook, without stirring, until eggs are almost set, about 6 minutes longer.

Meanwhile, preheat broiler.

Sprinkle Cheddar over frittata. Broil 5 inches from heat until cheese is melted and eggs are set, 1–2 minutes. Sprinkle with scallions. Cut into 4 wedges.

Notes

If you have leftovers, wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 3 days. A wedge of this tasty frittata makes an excellent sandwich filling.

PIRATE EGGS

When my sister and I were kids, my mother used to fix this for us on a regular basis, except that she called them Gypsy Eggs. Once my brother came along, though, they became Pirate Eggs. The name stuck. Most people from the Northeastern U.S. tend to call them Eggs-in-a-Hole or some variation of that. But whatever you call them, they're good.

The instructions are for one person. Adjust for the number of people you're feeding.

Ingredients

1-2 eggs

1-2 pieces of bread

margarine for the pan

Directions

Melt the margarine in the pan over medium heat. Take the bread and cut a round hole in the middle. Place bread in pan, then crack the egg and dump onto the bread so that the yolk is in the hole. If you prefer non-runny yolks (my preference), crack the yolk with the corner of a spatula. Cook on the first side for several minutes, then flip over and cook the other side. You can flip it several times until the egg looks cooked. Enjoy!

BROCCOLI FRITTATA

Yield: 4 Servings

View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/692.shtml

Ingredients

1/2 cup non-fat cottage cheese

1/2 tsp dried dill

2 cup fat-free egg substitute

2 cups frozen chopped broccoli

1 tsp olive oil

2 tsp margarine

1 large onion, diced

Directions

Mix cottage cheese and egg substitute together; set aside.

In large non-stick frying pan over medium heat, saute onions in oil for 5 minutes, or until soft.

Add broccoli and dill; saute for 5 minutes, or until broccoli mixture softens. Set vegetable aside.

Wipe out frying pan. Add 1 tsp. margarine and swirl the pan to distribute it. Add half of the vegetable mixture, and then add half of the egg mixture; lift and rotate pan so that eggs are evenly distributed.

As eggs set around the edges, lift them to allow uncooked portions to flow underneath. Turn heat to low, cover the pan, and cook until top is set.

Invert onto a serving plate and cut into wedges.

Repeat with remaining 1 tsp. margarine, vegetable mixture, and egg mixture.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 150; Calories from Fat: 30; Protein: 19 g; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 390 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 12 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable; 2 Meat; 1 Fat

Bread

Today's post deals with homemade Bread. Check out the Magic Caterpillar Peanut Butter Bread, the Egg Cinnamon Bread, and the rest of today's yumminess. Enjoy!

CORNBREAD

This is from Yewande Komolafe in The New York Times cooking newsletter. For this recipe, Yewande wrote, "This easy skillet cornbread comes together with just a handful of ingredients, many of which you probably already have on hand. It’s a firm-crumbed but light quick bread that can hold its own as a side slathered with salted butter, or it can be used as a base for cornbread dressing/a>. The buttermilk gives the toasted corn flavor a pleasant tartness — full-fat buttermilk is preferred, but low-fat will do in a pinch."

Total Time: 1-1/2 hours; Yield: 6 to 8 servings

This was featured in "These Thanksgiving Recipes Aren’t Just Side Dishes. They’re My Memories." and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022722-cornbread.

Ingredients

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for brushing the pan

1-1/2 cups medium-coarse yellow cornmeal

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

3-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups buttermilk, preferably full-fat

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preparation

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Butter the bottom and sides of a 10-inch skillet or cast-iron pan and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk and eggs. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir until incorporated. Fold in the melted butter.

Pour the batter into the prepared skillet and smooth the top.

Bake until the top is lightly browned and the sides pull away cleanly from the skillet, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely and serve warm or room temperature, or reserve to make cornbread dressing.

EGG CINNAMON BREAD



I've been making this for years – actually, for decades – and almost always gotten rave reviews on this recipe. It got to the point that several people have specifically requested this recipe – and, if I'm visiting, it's pretty much expected that I'll bake up a batch. This recipe makes three loaves.





Ingredients

2 envelopes yeast

1 C warm water

1-2 T honey

1 C milk (Note: 1 cup soy milk can be used in place of the milk)

1/2 C margarine (1 stick)

2 eggs, beaten

6-7 C unbleached white flour

1/4-1/2 C margarine (1 stick)

2-3 C cinnamon sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

Stir honey into warm water. Stir in yeast. Set aside.

Heat milk until warm. Pour into large bowl and add 1/2 C margarine, cut into 4 pieces. Stir, allowing margarine to melt. Cool to room temperature. Stir in salt, yeast mixture and eggs. Add flour, 2 cups at a time until stiff. Place dough on floured towel and knead for 4-5 minutes.

Wash and dry bowl. Oil dough, place in bowl, cover with clean towel and place out of draft in a warm place. Allow to rise for 1 to 1-1/2 hours, until double.

Melt 1/4-1/2 C margarine. Grease 3 loaf pans. Punch dough down, then divide into three sections. Roll out with rolling pin, then brush with melted margarine. Spread cinnamon sugar over melted margarine, then roll all three sections into loaves. Place in pans, place clean towel over pans, and allow to rise again for 1 to 1-1/2 hours.

Remove towel, then place loaf pans into preheated 350 degree F oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes.

MARBLED BANANA BREAD

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Save your ripe bananas for this healthy marbled bread—it's just over 200 calories per slice and made with half whole-wheat flour. A small amount of melted chocolate swirled in assures chocolate in every bite."

Prep Time: 15 minutes, Inactive Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Easy

View this online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/healthy-marbled-banana-bread-recipe-2109035

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray

3/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting the pan

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

2 medium very ripe bananas

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

2 large eggs

3/4 cup white whole wheat flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly mist a 9-by-5-inch metal loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and dust well with all-purpose flour to cover the pan completely, tapping out the excess. Put the chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted and smooth, 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds. Set aside to cool slightly while preparing the batter. Combine the bananas and sugar in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher or fork until mostly smooth with just a few small pieces of banana left. Add the oil and eggs and stir until combined. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix in both flours, the baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla. Stir 1 cup batter into the melted chocolate. Fill the loaf pan with half the banana batter and then half the chocolate batter. Repeat the layers and gently swirl together using a spoon or knife. Bake until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool in the pan 15 minutes, and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature. Cook's Note: To prepare your loaf pan for baking, you can also use a nonstick spray with flour already in it. Flouring the pan helps the bread rise well and prevents any collapse after it comes out of the oven. Per serving: Calories: 203; Total Fat 8 grams; Saturated Fat: 2 grams; Protein: 4 grams; Total carbohydrates: 31 grams; Sugar: 16 grams Fiber: 2 grams; Cholesterol: 32 milligrams; Sodium: 212 milligrams

MAGIC CATERPILLAR PEANUT BUTTER BREAD

Years ago, I got hooked on Breaking Bread with Father Dominic on (if I remember correctly) the local PBS station. Unfortunately, the show has since left the air, at least where I live. However, you might be able to check out a few episodes by Google-ing his name for the latest places that show him, or on YouTube. Check out his website, The Bread Monk, at http://www.breadmonk.com/. This recipe yields 1 loaf.



Ingredients

1 package Fleischmann's Active Dry Yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1 cup milk

3/4 cup chunky peanut butter

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3-1/4 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

For decoration: tubes of colored frosting, candies, gumdrops, licorice, etc.

Directions:

Sprinkle yeast over warm water in large bowl; stir to dissolve yeast. Let stand about 10 minutes, or until foamy.

Combine milk, peanut butter, sugar and salt in small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth. Let cool to lukewarm, then add to yeast mixture. Stir in flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition until flour is thoroughly incorporated.

Turn out dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead 5 minutes, adding small amounts of the remaining flour as needed to keep dough manageable. Rinse and dry bowl, then lightly oil surface of dough and place dough in bowl. Cover with a dry cloth and let rise in a warm, draft-free place 1 hour.

Punch down dough. Knead briefly to expel large air bubbles. Roll dough into a rope about 24 inches long. Form rope into a large S shape on a lightly greased 18x12-inch baking sheet. Using a butter knife or dough scraper, chop rope into 3-inch sections, but do not separate completely. Cover with a cloth and let rise about 30 minutes. (The caterpillar will magically grow back together during rising and baking.)

About 15 minutes before end of rising time, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake loaf 25 minutes, or until top is golden brown. Let cool on baking sheet 15 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorate cooled loaf with frosting and gumdrops or other candy. Poke holes in the sides with a wooden pick and insert sections of licorice for legs.

Note: Decorating gel doesn't work as well as frosting as a glue for the candy decorations, so make sure you pick up the right tube at the store. Any candies will work to make spots for the caterpillar's sections. Thin red licorice makes the perfect legs and antennae, unless you know your youngsters prefer the flavor of black licorice.

BASIC ROLLS

This was from Fr. Dominic Garramone (aka The Bread Monk). I first ran across his show, Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, years ago on PBS. The show has since left television (at least, as far as I can tell), but you can still check out his recipes and books on his website (above).

This recipe makes about 30 rolls.

Ingredients

1 package FLEISCHMANN's Active Dry Yeast

1/4 cup warm water

2 cups whole milk

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 teaspoons salt

2 eggs, beaten

5 to 5 1/2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour, divided

Directions

Sprinkle yeast over warm water in small bowl; stir to dissolve. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes, or until foamy.

Heat milk in a saucepan until lukewarm; do not boil. Add butter, sugar and milk; mix well.

Combine milk mixture, yeast mixture and eggs in large bowl of electric mixer fitted with dough hook. Add 2 cups of the flour; mix with dough hook until blended. Add 2 cups flour and mix until blended. Add 1 cup flour and mix on medium speed 2 minutes.

Remove dough from mixing bowl and place on a floured surface. Knead, adding as much of the remaining 1/2 cup flour as needed to form a smooth, elastic dough. Place dough in a greased bowl and turn to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled.

Punch down dough. Knead 2 minutes to work out air bubbles. Let dough rest 10 minutes. Shape dough into desired rolls. (For shape variations, visit Tips & Techniques.) Place on lightly greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise about 30 minutes, or until doubled.

When dough is nearly finished rising, preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bake rolls 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

IRISH BROWN BREAD

This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "If you can't make it to Ireland anytime soon, bring the taste of Ireland to your table tonight! One of the easiest and quickest breads to bake up, this Irish Brown Bread has become a favorite in our Test Kitchen. We like to slice it up and serve it warm with a little margarine or sugar-free jam on the side."

Cook Time: 35 minutes; Serves: 16; Serving Size: 1 (16th of a round)

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Bread/Irish-Brown-Bread-6746.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cup whole wheat flour



1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons light butter, cut into small pieces

1 egg

1 cup low-fat buttermilk

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt; mix well.

Add butter, then the egg and buttermilk. Using your hands, mix until just combined. Place dough on baking sheet and shape into a round loaf about 1 inch high. Make a crisscross cut (an "X") across the top with a floured knife.

Bake bread 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Bake 25 to 30 more minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool slightly on a wire rack, then cut into wedges and serve warm.

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's post has a little of this, a little of that, and a bit of yum. Check out the Khoresh Rivas (Savory Rhubarb and Bean Stew), the Vegetarian Mexican Inspired Stuffed Peppers, and then the rest of today's yumminess. (Yes, yumminess is the technical term.) Enjoy!

HERBED WINTER VEGETABLE ROAST

This was in the October 2007 issure of Vegetarian Times, page 81. It begins, "Thin-skinned delicata and butternut squash can be roasted without peeling. Serve this satisfying vegetable roast with brown rice, steamed bulgur, or polenta. Sprinkle leftovers with grated cheese, and broil until bubbly for a delicious next-day dinner."

Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/herbed-winter-vegetable-roast/.

Ingredients

2 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for greasing pan

1 Tbs. chopped fresh rosemary

1 Tbs. chopped fresh basil

1 Tbs. chopped fresh thyme

2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)

2 delicata or 1 large butternut squash, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds (2-1/2 lb.)

1 acorn squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks (1 lb.)

2 medium carrots, cut on the diagonal into 1/2-inch thick slices (1 cup)

2 medium parsnips, cut on the diagonal into 1/2-inch thick slices (1 cup)

1 medium onion, cut into 1-inch-thick wedges

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly oil rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan.

Whisk together oil, rosemary, basil, thyme, and garlic in large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add delicata or butternut squash, acorn squash, carrots, parsnips, and onion; toss to coat. Spread in single layer on prepared baking sheet. Roast 45 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and beginning to brown, stirring every 15 minutes.

THAI SPICY EGGPLANT WITH SWEET BASIL

Originally from Rachael Ray, this was on page 54 of the June 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, "This home-cooked meal probably contains less fat and fewer calories than most carry-outs, and preparing it takes no longer than a pick-up trip to a restaurant. Adapted from Rachael Ray’s 30-Minute Meals Veggie Meals." Makes 2 servings in 30 minutes or less

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/thai-spicy-eggplant-with-sweet-basil/.

Ingredients

1 cup jasmine rice

2 Tbs. peanut or vegetable oil

1/2 to 1 tsp. crushed red pepper, or to taste

3 baby eggplants, cubed into bite-sized chunks

1 medium-sized onion, diced

1 medium-sized red bell pepper, seeded and diced

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 Tbs. white vinegar

3 Tbs. dark soy sauce, such as tamari

2 Tbs. dark brown sugar

20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn

Preparation

Cook jasmine rice according to package directions.

Meanwhile, heat a deep skillet or wok-shaped pan over high heat. Add oil and crushed red pepper, and let sizzle for 10 to 15 seconds. Add eggplant, and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic, and stir-fry for 3 minutes more. Add vinegar and soy sauce. Sprinkle with sugar, and toss for 1 or 2 minutes longer.

Remove pan from heat, add basil leaves and toss to combine with eggplant. Serve over hot cooked rice.

VEGETARIAN MEXICAN INSPIRED STUFFED PEPPERS

This is from Allrecipes. It begins, "This vegetarian stuffed peppers recipe is not too spicy, but it is packed with flavor. My kids loved it! For variety, add corn or other vegetables, or switch to other canned tomato varieties. Follow the boiling method prior to baking if you don't want a crispy bell pepper. If you have small peppers, use more of them for this recipe. They taste great with a dollop of sour cream on top."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total tTime: 55 minutes; Yield: 4 stuffed peppers

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/231514/vegetarian-mexican-inspired-stuffed-peppers/.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon salt

4 large green bell peppers - tops, seeds, and membranes removed

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cups cooked rice

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (14.5 ounce) can chili-style diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (8 ounce) package shredded Mexican cheese blend (such as Sargento® Authentic Mexican)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Bring a large pot of water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil. Add green bell peppers and cook until slightly softened, 3 to 4 minutes; drain and arrange cut-side up in a 9x9-inch baking dish.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, 5 to 10 minutes.

Transfer cooked onion into a large bowl; add rice, black beans, and tomatoes. Stir in chili powder, garlic salt, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until well combined. Fold in 1 1/2 cups Mexican cheese blend. Spoon rice mixture evenly into bell peppers; sprinkle with remaining Mexican cheese blend.

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 30 minutes.

MAQUE CHOUX

This is from Gabrielle Hamilton at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Gabrielle wrote, "This classic Cajun side dish is a sweet, hot, juicy, milky, buttery combination of corn, onions and peppers. It’s often cooked in rendered bacon fat and enriched with heavy cream, but this version relies upon only butter and a little water in their place, which allow the ingredients’ flavors to sing more clearly. While it is commonly understood that Fat Equals Flavor, there is a point at which too much fat actually masks complexities in flavors and dulls their vibrancy. Try the maque choux this way and see if you notice how bold and lively it tastes. If you miss the smokiness that bacon imparts, try instead a pinch of smoked paprika stirred in at the end."

Yield: About 1 generous quart; Time: 20 minutes

This was featured in "This Cajun Corn Dish Screams ‘Summer’", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021176-maque-choux.

Note: I highly recommend reading the article ("featured in" link, above). I read it in The New York Times Magazine on Sunday, June 21. Interesting reading.

Ingredients

3 fresh ears of corn, shucked

8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)

1/2 red onion, cut into small dice

2 celery ribs, cut into small dice

Kosher salt

1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into small dice

1 small poblano pepper, cored, seeded and cut into small dice

1 small serrano chile, very thinly sliced

Freshly ground black pepper

Smoked paprika (optional)

Preparation

Working with 1 corn cob at a time, set the ear of corn upright in a medium bowl. Shave the corn from the cob by slicing down the sides using the tip of a sharp chef’s knife, holding the knife almost vertical. (This gives you neat tablets of corn that land squarely in the bowl and keeps the kernels from scattering all over the counter.) Using the back of the knife, scrape each cob to release all the nibs and the “milk” of the kernels into the bowl. Repeat with remaining ears of corn, then snap the cobs in half, and add them to the bowl.

In a large, deep sauté pan, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat until foaming. Add onion and celery, and season with 1 or 2 pinches of kosher salt. Stir constantly until softened and translucent but not browned, about 5 minutes.

Add 2 tablespoons butter and the bell pepper, poblano and serrano, and stir constantly, adding another pinch of kosher salt, letting the butter melt and the peppers soften and become translucent, about 2 or 3 minutes. You will smell the peppers’ sweetness and their mild capsaicin releasing.

Add the final 3 tablespoons butter and the corn mixture from the bowl, cobs included, and another pinch of kosher salt. Stir constantly to coat with the butter and combine thoroughly.

When everything starts to hiss and sound hot, but isn’t cooking so hard as to take color, add 1/2 cup water and a healthy few grinds of black pepper, and cover the pan for a couple of minutes to steam/shallow braise the mixture.

Remove the lid, and stir well, noticing the corn releasing its liquid and the kernels softening, and the cobs turning somewhat translucent, if however vague. You will notice a general softening and melding together. Return the lid, and let cook a few more minutes, noticing the water evaporating and the remaining liquid reducing and gaining some “body” and gloss. Discard the corn cobs, but do suck them before tossing — those buttery juices make a nice cook’s treat.

Taste for salt, and serve. It should be sweet, spicy, a bit wet and surprisingly complex, given the few ingredients and their ordinariness. If you want a smoky taste, add a good pinch of smoked paprika.

KHORESH RIVAS (SAVORY RHUBARB BEAN STEW)

This is from Naz Deravian on The New York Times cooking site. The recipe begins, "In Iranian cuisine, rhubarb is often used in savory dishes rather than in sweet ones. The hearty pinkish-red stalks, which cook down quickly and tenderize, provide just the right amount of tang to herb-based stews like khoresh rivas. Typically, this bright and flavorful dish is prepared with red meat, but hearty butter beans star in this vegetarian version. Fresh herbs are used in impressively large amounts in this cuisine, often holding their own as main ingredients. Mint and parsley are a common combination for the base of many stews. Gently frying the herbs separately before adding them to the stew concentrates their flavors, adding layers of depth. This stew tastes even better the next day. Serve khoresh rivas with rice and a side of plain yogurt."

Time: 1-1/2 hours; Yield: 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023153-khoresh-rivas-savory-rhubarb-and-bean-stew.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon plus a pinch of granulated sugar, plus more to taste

A pinch of saffron threads (about 3/4 teaspoon)

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed

3 large bunches parsley (about 12 ounces), tough stems trimmed, leaves and tender stems finely chopped (about 3 cups; see Tip)

2 large bunches mint (about 5 ounces), stems trimmed, leaves finely chopped (about 2 cups; see Tip)

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

Kosher salt and black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

3 (15-ounce) cans butter beans or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

3 tablespoons lemon juice, plus more to taste

2 to 3 large red rhubarb stalks (about 8 ounces), cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces

Cooked rice, for serving

Preparation

Bring a few tablespoons of water to a boil in a small pot. Let the boiling water stand for 2 minutes to allow the temperature to drop slightly while you grind the saffron. Using a mortar and pestle (or a small bowl and the handle of a wooden spoon), grind a pinch of sugar with the saffron to a fine powder (you should have about 1/4 teaspoon total). Add 2 tablespoons of the hot water, gently stir, cover and let steep until ready to use.

In a large pan, heat 1/4 cup of olive oil over medium. Add the parsley and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and slightly darkened, about 8 minutes. Drizzle in more oil if the pan seems too dry. Add the mint and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Keep in mind that mint burns very quickly. Remove from the heat and set aside until ready to use. (You’ll reuse this pan.)

In a large, deep sauté pan with a lid, or a Dutch oven, heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil over medium-high. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with a little salt, and reduce the heat to medium. Add the turmeric, stir and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the beans, season well with salt and pepper, and cook, gently stirring without breaking the beans, until the flavors have mingled, about 5 minutes. Taste a bean and make sure it’s salted to your liking. The turmeric might feel overpowering at this point, but it will mellow as the stew simmers.

To the beans, add the parsley and mint mixture (keeping the pan handy), 2 cups water and half of the saffron water, and season with salt. Gently stir and bring to a rapid simmer. Partly cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer, occasionally stirring, for 30 minutes, until the flavors have mingled and the oil rises.

Add the rest of the saffron water, the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon sugar. Stir and simmer, partly covered, for 15 minutes. Taste as the stew simmers and season as needed. Add more water to the stew if necessary to make it juicier, or remove the lid to reduce the liquid. There should be plenty of liquid to spoon over rice, but it shouldn’t be soupy. The stew can be made 1 day in advance up to this point.

Meanwhile, wipe clean the reserved pan from the herbs. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and heat over medium. Add the rhubarb and cook until the color deepens on each side, about 2 minutes per side. You’re not fully cooking the rhubarb here; it should maintain its shape and still have a slight bite to it, as it will finish cooking in the stew.

Gently place the rhubarb pieces in the stew, increase the heat to medium-low and cook, partly covered, until the rhubarb is tender and releases its tangy flavor, about 10 minutes. Don’t stir the rhubarb; you want it to maintain its shape and not turn mushy. Taste the stew as it simmers; add more lemon juice for extra acidity, if needed, and more sugar for balance, if you like. Serve over rice.

Tip

You can pulse the herbs in a food processor in batches to quickly chop them.

CHICKPEA SPAGHETTI COTTAGE CHEESE ALFREDO

This is from WW (formerly WeightWatchers). It begins, "Fat-free cottage cheese makes a surprisingly rich, silky, creamy Alfredo sauce. We don’t recommend using a food processor here; the key is to blend the cottage cheese well, until it’s completely smooth. Opt for 2% milk here, as the extra richness (as opposed to skim or 1%) is integral to the sauce’s Alfredo-like texture. When you first add the pasta to the sauce, it will be extremely creamy; the noodles will soak the sauce up quickly, though."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Serves: 4; Serving size: 1 cup; Difficulty: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

8 oz uncooked chickpea pasta, spaghetti variety

1 cup 2% reduced fat milk

3/4 cups Fat free cottage cheese

1 Tbsp Cornstarch

3/4 tsp Kosher salt

1/2 tsp Black pepper

1 large clove garlic, grated

1/4 cups Grated Parmesan cheese

2 Tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Cook the pasta according to the package directions.

Meanwhile, place the milk, cottage cheese, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and garlic in a blender; blend on high speed until completely smooth, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour the milk mixture into a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until just bubbly around the edges and thickened, stirring almost constantly, about 4 minutes. Stir in the cheese.

When the pasta is done, scoop out 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta. Add the pasta to the sauce; toss well with tongs until thoroughly coated, adding a little pasta water if needed. Sprinkle with the parsley, if desired.

Taco Tuesday

Here we are, getting into the work groove after a three-day weekend. Of course, some of us had to work Monday (think fire and police departments, hospitals, etc.). But for those of us who had the day off, it's difficult to get back to work.

In the meantime, it's time for another Taco Tuesday, so it can't be all that difficult, right? Today's vegetarian offerings include Edamame Tacos with Peanut Sauce and Vegan Zucchini Tacos with Salsa Verde. Enjoy!

MUSHROOM TACOS

This is from Runner's World and can be viewed online here. Recipe feeds 2-3 runners; Time needed: 30-45 minutes

What you’ll need:

Pound of scrubbed assorted mushrooms (creminis and portabellos work well)

1 yellow onion

2 cloves garlic

6 small corn tortillas

1 orange

1 lime

1 teaspoon cumin

2 teaspoons dark chili powder

1 teaspoon oregano

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Salt to taste

Cilantro

How to make it:

Dice up one onion, setting aside three tablespoons for onion topping. Cut mushrooms into large chunks.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high-heat. Add onions and mushrooms and sauté for about 10 minutes until onions are tender and mushrooms begin to brown.

Mince garlic. Juice orange and lime. Reserve two wedges of lime.

Add garlic, cumin, oregano, and chili powder to onions and mushroom.

Saute for 30 seconds until garlic is aromatic, then add orange and lime juice, along with about a teaspoon of salt.

Cook for two to three minutes until the juice reduces.

Heat tortillas individually in a dry pan on the stove or all together wrapped in a towel in the microwave.

Spoon mushroom mix into tortillas and garnish with reserved raw onion and chopped cilantro. Enjoy!

VEGAN ZUCCHINI TACOS WITH SALSA VERDE

This is from Cristin Nelson and Mary Margaret Chappell on the Vegetarian Times website (posted September 28, 2022). It begins, "Tangy, spicy salsa verde blooms when cooked, which is why it’s often used in enchiladas. Here, it coats lightly-cooked veggie chunks for a satisfying zucchini taco filling with a hint of heat.

"For the salsa verde, you could make your own or use your favorite store-bought version. Feel free to swap in other squashes for the zucchini if you prefer."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/vegan-zucchini-tacos/.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, quartered and thinly sliced

3 medium zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch-thick chunks (5 cups)

3/4 cup prepared salsa verde

3/4 cup water

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Salt and black pepper, to taste

8 corn or flour tortillas

Preparation

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil.

Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes, or until softened and browned.

Add zucchini, salsa verde, and 3/4 cup water. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer 10 minutes, or until most of liquid has reduced, but mixture is still moist.

Stir in cilantro, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Spoon mixture into tortillas and serve immediately.

EGGPLANT TACOS

This is from Reiko on her blog, The Culinary Tribune. To view this online, click here. It looks like this makes 2 tacos.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 eggplant, cut into bite sized pieces

2 tablespoons water

1/2 tablespoon sugar

1-1/2 tablespoon soy sauce

1/2 tablespoon garlic chili paste

dry oregano

ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon corn starch plus water (for thickening)

salt and pepper

2 taco shells

a few slices of red onion

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

1 tablespoon chopped green onion

Directions

Cook eggplant in oil until tender. Add water, sugar, soy sauce, garlic chili paste, oregano, and cumin. Add corn starch and water mixture to thicken it slightly. Salt and pepper.

Warm taco shells in a toaster.

Fill the shells with the eggplant. Serve with red onion slices, cilantro, and green onion.

CRISPY POTATO TACOS

This is from Hetty Lui McKinnon in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this, Hetty wrote, "Potato tacos, or tacos de papa, as they are known in Mexico, make the perfect meal for those times when you find yourself with an excess of potatoes and a package of tortillas on hand. Tortillas are an endlessly versatile pantry item. In this recipe, adapted from “Tenderheart” by Hetty Lui McKinnon (Alfred A. Knopf, 2023), they are stuffed with potato and cheese for a deeply satisfying meal or light snack. Cooking the potatoes whole, skin intact, prevents them from absorbing too much water, and the skin also adds a nice texture to the filling. Shortcuts are always available: If you’ve got leftover mashed potatoes, you can use them and skip the first step."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 1-1/4 hours; Yield: 4 servings

This was featured in "4 Easy Dishes That Embrace Everyday Vegeatables," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024397-crispy-potato-tacos. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

For the Tacos

Sea salt

1-1/2 pounds potatoes (any variety), scrubbed and cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces

1-1/2 cups grated Cheddar

Handful of cilantro, leaves and stems finely chopped

1 small garlic clove, finely chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

16 to 18 corn tortillas

Neutral oil, as needed

Any combination of sliced lettuce or cabbage, very finely sliced red onion or sour cream (all optional), for serving

For the Spicy Red Salsa

3 tomatoes (about 1 pound), chopped

1/2 red onion, roughly chopped

Small handful of cilantro, leaves and stems roughly chopped

1 fresh serrano or Fresno chile (seeded, if you prefer less spice)

1 garlic clove, chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Sea salt

3/4 cup vegetable stock

Preparation

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender. (Check them by inserting a fork or knife into the largest potato piece. If it goes in and out easily, the potato is ready.) Drain and allow to cool for a few minutes.

Make the spicy red salsa: Place tomatoes, onion, cilantro, chile, garlic, cumin, oregano, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt into a blender or food processor and blitz until completely smooth. Pour the purée into a saucepan, add the vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until darker in color and slightly thickened, while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

Place the cooled potatoes in a bowl and roughly mash them. (It does not have to be smooth; a chunky texture is great.) Add the Cheddar, cilantro, garlic, cumin, paprika and 1 teaspoon sea salt and mix to combine.

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and, working in batches, add the corn tortillas and heat until soft and pliable. Remove from the pan and cover the tortillas with a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm. Fill each warmed tortilla with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture, then fold in half and press down lightly.

In the same skillet, add enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan and warm over medium-high heat. Place three or four tacos in the oil, pressing down lightly with a spatula so that the edges are in the oil, and fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until golden and crispy. Flip them over and repeat on the other side. Repeat with the remaining tacos.

Serve the tacos with the spicy red salsa and any of the optional serving suggestions. (The potatoes can be cooked and mashed 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge. The salsa can be made 2 days ahead and kept in the fridge. For freezing info, see Tip.)

Tip

You can freeze these assembled tacos by wrapping them tightly and storing in a freezer bag or airtight container. To cook, there is no need to thaw; you can fry them straight from frozen.

EDAMAME TACOS WITH PEANUT SAUCE

This yummy recipe comes from Alissa, whose blog, Connoisseurus Veg, looks really fantastic.

Alissa wrote, “These crunchy edamame tacos are filled with a blend of tender cilantro-lime seasoned soybeans, fresh greens and Thai peanut sauce,” adding, “Mexican-Thai-Japanese fusion at its finest.”

Serves 4; Prep Times: 5 min; Cook Time: 10 min; Total Time: 15.

To view this on Alissa’s blog, click here.

Ingredients

For Peanut Sauce

1/4 cup natural peanut butter

1 tbsp. soy sauce

1 tbsp. maple syrup or agave

1-2 tbsp. water

For the Edamame Tacos

1 tbsp. canola oil (or other neutral-flavored vegetable oil)

1 medium onion, diced

2 large garlic cloves, minced

2 cups cooked, shelled edamame

1 1/2 tbsp. lime juice

1/4 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro

2 scallions, chopped

about 2 cups baby spinach, arugula or spring mix

8 taco shells, preferably homemade

Instructions

Make the Peanut Sauce

Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl, adding as much water as needed to achieve desired consistency.

Make the Edamame Tacos

Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and edamame. Continue to sauté until edamame begin to brown in spots, about another 5 minutes.

Add lime juice and salt. Sauté another 30 seconds and remove from heat.

Add cilantro and scallions. Mix well.

Divide mixture among taco shells and top with greens and peanut sauce.

DAVE’S MEXICAN VEGGIE TACO

This came from Dave (no last name) on all recipes, and begins, "One pan. Great spice. People will beg for the recipe. I swear by this and I'm not even a vegetarian. Substitute your favorite cheese for the queso fresco if desired.”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Time: 50 minutes; Makes: 8 servings; 334 cals.

Ingredients

Taco Filling:

1 tablespoon oil, or as needed

4 carrots, chopped

1 potato, chopped

2 leeks, chopped (optional)

1 onion, chopped

1 sweet potato, shredded

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

2 tablespoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 pinch cayenne pepper salt and ground black pepper to taste

Tacos:

16 (6 inch) corn tortillas

1 avocados - peeled, pitted, and mashed

1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco

1/2 cup salsa

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 teaspoon lime juice, or to taste

Directions

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir carrots until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add potato; cook and stir until lightly browned and mostly tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Add leeks and onion; cook and stir until onion is lightly browned, 5 to 10 minutes.

Mix shredded sweet potato, black beans, cumin, oregano, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper into carrot-potato mixture; cook and stir until sweet potato is tender, about 10 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and transfer sweet potato mixture to a bowl, scraping skillet clean with a rubber spatula.

Heat each tortilla in the same skillet over medium heat until warmed, about 30 seconds per side. Spread mashed avocado onto each warmed tortilla and top with sweet potato mixture, queso fresco, salsa, cilantro, and lime juice.

Cook's Note:

I always use whatever vegetables I have that go well together. The main ingredients are shredded sweet potato for texture and the cumin. Once I discovered its use in Mexican seasoning, I never bought taco seasoning with preservatives again.

Tip

Aluminum foil helps keep food moist, ensures it cooks evenly, keeps leftovers fresh, and makes clean-up easy.

Labor Day Recipes

It's Labor Day, a day celebrating the labor movement in the United States. And while that is the real reason we celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September, it also marks the unofficial end of summer.

Here are six recipes to help you celebrate Labor Day, including Mediterranean Veggie Burgers and Chocolate Tofu Ice Cream. Enjoy!

BLACK BEAN-QUINOA BURGERS

This recipe comes from page 60 of the Jul/August 2011 of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “Here's a delicious veggie burger you can whip up from scratch. Any steak seasoning (which is just a combination of herbs and spices) will work to give the patties a rich, hearty flavor. Stash a few in the freezer for busy weeknight meals. For super-easy cookouts, bake the patties ahead, then reheat them on the grill. Serve with your favorite burger fixings.” Serves 8.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/2 cup quinoa

1 small onion, finely chopped (1 cup)

6 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped (1/4 cup)

1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, or 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained, divided

2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)

2 tsp. dried steak seasoning

8 whole-grain hamburger buns

Directions

Stir together quinoa and 1 1/2 cups water in small saucepan, and season with salt, if desired. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed. (You should have 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa.)

Meanwhile, place onion and sun-dried tomatoes in medium nonstick skillet, and cook over medium heat. (The oil left on the tomatoes should be enough to sauté the onion.) Cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until onion has softened. Stir in 3/4 cup black beans, garlic, steak seasoning, and 1 1/2 cups water. Simmer 9 to 11 minutes, or until most of liquid has evaporated.

Transfer bean-onion mixture to food processor, add 3/4 cup cooked quinoa, and process until smooth. Transfer to bowl, and stir in remaining 3/4 cup quinoa and remaining 3/4 cup black beans. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and cool.

Preheat oven to 350°F, and generously coat baking sheet with cooking spray. Shape bean mixture into 8 patties (1/2 cup each), and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes, or until patties are crisp on top. Flip patties with spatula, and bake 10 minutes more, or until both sides are crisp and brown. Serve on buns.

nutritional information Per Burger: Calories: 215; Protein: 9 g; Total Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 40 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 438 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 5 g; vegan

BOSTON BAKED BEANS

Yield: 16 servings

Source: "Forbidden Foods Diabetic Cooking" by Maggie Powers

Book info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/12.shtml

Ingredients

1 pound dried navy beans

1 large onion, chopped

2 teaspoons salt

1 tomato, chopped

1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

3 tablespoons molasses

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 tablespoons ketchup

1 tablespoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

Directions

Place the beans in a strainer and sort through the beans to remove stones, discolored beans, or any other objects. Rinse with cold water until beans are clean, about 2 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the beans, onion, salt, and enough water to cover them by 2 inches. Let stand 8 hours or overnight at room temperature; do not refrigerate.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

In a strainer, drain and rinse the beans and onion. Place in a 4-quart saucepan and add the tomato, sugar, molasses, vinegar, ketchup, ginger, mustard, and pepper; stir until blended. Add enough water to cover the beans, about 2 cups. Cover and bake until bubbly and the beans are soft, 5 hours.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/2 cup): Calories: 110, Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 50 mg, Carbohydrate: 21 g, Dietary Fiber: 4 g, Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 6 g, Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch

MEDITERRANEAN VEGGIE BURGERS

This comes from the July/August 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 62, and begins, “Eureka! We’ve found the secret “glue” that holds homemade veggie burgers together on an outdoor grill: purée the ingredients with overcooked pasta. A couple of other tips for success: be sure to pat the beans dry before you add them to the patty mixture, and use a stainless steel grill topper for a more stable grilling surface. Serve these mouthwatering miracles with your favorite burger buns and toppings.” Makes 6 burgers.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 oz. rigatoni

1/2 cup red quinoa

7 oz. low-sodium vegetable broth

1 1/2 tsp. olive oil

3/4 cup chopped onion

9 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 1/2 cups cooked white beans, or 1 15-oz. can white beans, rinsed, drained, and thoroughly patted dry

1/2 cup steamed broccoli

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. finely shredded green cabbage

3 Tbs. finely chopped red bell pepper

2 Tbs. Tomato Sauce (recipe follows)

6 kalamata olives, sliced

2 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped

2 Tbs. canola oil for oiling patties and grill topper

Directions

Cook rigatoni in large pot of boiling salted water 19 minutes, or until very soft. Drain, measure out 1-1/2 cups very tightly packed rigatoni, and set aside.

Bring quinoa and broth to a boil in saucepan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook 13 minutes, or until slightly undercooked; some of the white germ will have opened, but much of the quinoa will still have a slight bite. Drain, and set aside.

Heat oil in small saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and cook 1 minute. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute more. Set aside.

Process rigatoni and white beans in food processor 1 minute, or until smooth and paste-like (it’s OK if there are a few small bits of pasta still intact). Transfer mixture to large bowl. Stir in 3/4 cup quinoa, broccoli, cabbage, bell pepper, tomato sauce, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and onion-garlic mixture. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Mash to combine. Form 6 1/2-cup-sized patties. Brush tops of each patty with canola oil.

Heat grill to high heat. Brush grill topper with canola oil. Place each patty oiled-side down on grill topper. Set grill topper on grill, close grill cover, and cook 6 to 7 minutes. Brush each patty again with oil, and carefully flip. Close grill, and grill 3 to 4 minutes more.

nutritional information Per Burger: Calories: 276; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 41 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 257 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan

CHOCOLATE TOFU ICE CREAM

This comes from the August 2000 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “You’d never guess that this rich, dense, fudgy ice cream contains considerably less fat than the classic version.” Makes 5 cups.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 lb. soft tofu, drained

1 cup sugar

1 cup plain soy milk

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbs. vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

Directions

In blender, puree all ingredients in 2 equal batches until very smooth.

Pour mixture into ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve right away or transfer to airtight container and freeze up to 3 days.

nutritional information Per 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 126; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Sodium: 25 mg; Fiber: 1 g; Vegan

ROCKY ROAD CAKE

This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking. I'm currently updating Off the Wall Cooking, adding more recipes, as well as photos.

I was taking a speech class at a local junior college. One week we had to give a demonstration speech; one lady demonstrated how to make this cake, passing out copies of the recipe along with pieces of cake. It’s absolutely delicious. The icing can be used on almost any kind of cake; it would be really good on carrot cake!

Ingredients

1 C chopped nuts

4 eggs

1 C raisins

1 C mayonnaise

1 C mini-marshmallows

1 C water

6 oz. package of chocolate chips

1 package (18.25 oz) Devil’s Food cake mix w/pudding

Directions

Grease & flour 2 9-inch pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix first four ingredients in medium-size bowl. In large bowl at low speed, mix cake mix, eggs, may & water until blended. Increase speed to medium & beat for 2 minutes. Stir in nut mixture. Pour into greased & floured pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes on cooling rack.

Ingredients

Icing (for Rocky Road Cake)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 stick butter

8 oz. cream cheese

1 box confectioners sugar

Directions

Place ingredients in bowl & cream together. When cake is cool, ice. ENJOY!

TWO-TONE POTATO SALAD WITH WALNUT-TARRAGON VINAIGRETTE

This comes from the September 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 44. It starts out, “When half of the vinaigrette for this meal-size salad is poured over the hot potatoes, it soaks into the spuds and flavors them before the final layer of dressing is added.” Serves 6.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Walnut-Tarragon Vinaigrette

2 Tbs. cider vinegar

1 Tbs. Dijon mustard

4 Tbs. olive oil

2 Tbs. walnut oil

1 tsp. dried tarragon

1/2 tsp. salt, optional

1/4 cup finely chopped shallot or red onion

Two-Tone Potato Salad

3 medium boiling potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice

2 cups arugula

1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup finely diced celery

1/2 cup toasted walnut pieces

Directions

To make Walnut-Tarragon Vinaigrette: Whisk together vinegar and mustard in small bowl. Whisk in olive oil and walnut oil. Whisk in tarragon and salt (if using). Stir in shallot. Set aside to allow flavors to develop.

To make Two-Tone Potato Salad: Place boiling potatoes in pot with enough salted water to cover by 1 inch, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until just tender. Drain, and transfer to large bowl.

Place sweet potato in separate pot with enough salted water to cover by 1 inch, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 4 to 5 minutes, or until just tender. Drain, and transfer to bowl with boiling potatoes.

Toss both types of hot potatoes with half of Walnut-Tarragon Vinaigrette in large bowl. Cool salad completely. Stir in arugula, tomatoes, celery, walnuts, and remaining vinaigrette just before serving.

nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 293; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 28 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 191 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 5 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday before a three-day weekend here in the U.S. (Monday is Labor Day.) Here are six vegetarian recipes to help you through the weekend, including Kiwi and Orange Compote with Almonds and Paprika Cauliflower Pita Pockets. Enjoy!

CHILI CORNBREAD CASSEROLE

This is from Melanie Sorrentino on One Green Planet. Melanie wrote, "The only thing more delicious than golden cornbread dipped in chili is a cornbread casserole with chili filling! The hearty chili is made with rice, kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, and plenty of seasoning. As is, this recipe is ridiculously easy and minimalist. Add some sautéed green peppers and onions into the chili mix if you want to amp it up a bit."

To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/chili-cornbread-casserole/.

Ingredients

1/2 cup dry rice

1 14-ounce can kidney beans

1/2 of 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon cumin

A sprinkle of poultry seasonings

Onion and garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 of 1 15-ounce box of cornbread mix

1/2 cup almond milk

1 4.5-ounce can of green chilis (optional)

Preparation

Add a 1/2 cup of dry rice to a pot along with about 3/4 cup of water. As soon as the water starts boiling, put a lid on it, and turned the temperature down to the second lowest on the stove. Allow to simmer with the lid on for about 15 minutes.

Add one can of beans and half of the large can of crushed tomatoes. The goal is simply to coat the rice and beans without making it soupy.

Added 2 tablespoons of chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, a sprinkle of poultry seasonings, onion and garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and red pepper flakes.

Pour into a casserole dish.

Add half of the cornbread mix into a bowl and slowly add almond milk. Start with 1/3 cup almond milk, whisk it into the dry mix and then add a couple more splashes. If you'd like, add a small can of green chilis.

Pour cornbread batter on top and bake at 350°F for 35-45 minutes. Serve.

GARLIC BREAD GRILLED CHEESE

This recipe is from Kayla Hoang in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Kayla wrote, "Grilled cheese gets the garlic-bread treatment in this recipe that packs a flavorful punch with little effort. Barely-melted butter is flavored with grated garlic, parsley and Parmesan, spread on bread sandwiching a generous helping of mozzarella and cooked low and slow. The garlic in the butter gently cooks, lessening its sharp bite and preventing it from becoming bitter and the Parmesan melts and creates a nutty, frico-like crust over the bread that contrasts with the soft center. Don’t skip buttering both sides of the bread slices: It’s the key to getting the soft and buttery interior and crisp exterior that makes garlic bread so delicious.

Ready in: 20 minutes; Yield: 2 servings

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/783001839-garlic-bread-grilled-cheese. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons salted butter (see Tip)

1/3 cup grated Parmesan

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley), optional

1 teaspoon grated garlic, from 1 to 2 cloves

4 slices bread (about 1/2-inch thick), such as white or sourdough sandwich bread

2/3 cup (3 ounces) low-moisture shredded mozzarella

Preparation

Microwave the butter in a small, microwave-safe bowl until partially melted, 10 to 15 seconds. (Alternatively, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the nonstick skillet you will cook the sandwiches in over medium heat. Pour the melted butter over the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small, heatproof bowl.) Add the Parmesan, parsley and grated garlic and stir to combine. The mixture should be spreadable, not liquid.

Spread an even layer of the garlic butter over both sides of 2 slices of bread (about ½ tablespoon per side).Place the slices in a large nonstick skillet and top them with an even layer of mozzarella (1/3 cup each). Butter both sides of the remaining 2 slices of bread and place those on top of the mozzarella to create 2 sandwiches.

Place the skillet over medium-low heat and cook until the mozzarella is mostly melted and the underside is deep golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the sandwiches and continue to cook until the other side is deep golden and the cheese completely melted, 2 to 3 minutes more. Cut in half (if desired) and serve immediately.

Tip

The salted butter can be substituted for 4 tablespoons unsalted butter plus 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal).

COWBOY CAVIAR

This is from Margaux Laskey in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Margaux wrote, "Depending on where you’re from, this simple dip is known as cowboy caviar or Texas caviar, and it’s a favorite at tailgates and potlucks all over the South. Its creator, Helen Corbitt, a dietitian from New York, had never heard of black-eyed peas when she moved to Texas in 1931. The exact details are fuzzy, but at some point in her 40 years working in restaurants there, she combined black-eyed peas with a simple vinaigrette, and it was a big hit. The recipe has evolved over the years, and you can find a number of variations online. Some contain corn and black beans (as this one does), and others avocado. Some call for bottled Italian salad dressing, others homemade. No matter how you tweak it, it’s always good with a pile of tortilla chips."

Total Time: 15 minutes, plus 2 hours' chilling; Yield: 8 cups

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020433-cowboy-caviar. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes (case in point), guides, and more.

Ingredients

FOR THE DRESSING

1/3 cup olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Kosher salt and black pepper

FOR THE SALAD

3 plum tomatoes, cored, seeded if desired, and diced

1/2 red onion, finely diced (about 3/4 cup)

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed

1 (15-ounce) can black-eyed peas, rinsed

1-1/2 cups fresh corn kernels (from about 2 to 4 cobs) or thawed, drained frozen sweet corn (about 8 ounces)

1 red, green or yellow bell pepper, seeded and finely diced

1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced

1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems, plus more for garnish, if desired

1 scallion, white and green parts, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Tortilla chips, for serving

Preparation

Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to combine.

Add the tomatoes, red onion, black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, bell pepper, jalapeño and cilantro. Toss to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

To serve, toss well and season to taste. Sprinkle with scallions and serve with tortilla chips.

SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE

This is from Millie Peartree and adapted by Kiera Wright-Ruiz in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipes, Kiera wrote, "There is macaroni and cheese, and then there is special occasion macaroni and cheese like this one. Unlike most recipes, which start with a roux, this one begins with a milk-and-egg base, which gives the dish an incredibly rich, silky taste. It’s adapted from Millie Peartree, the owner of Millie Peartree Fish Fry & Soul Food restaurant in the Bronx, who has been making this dish since she was a little girl. The recipe was passed down in her family for generations, but because of the generous amount of cheese used, the dish was only made for events like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Extra-sharp Cheddar adds tartness and a layer of Colby Jack creates a gooey, molten center. If you can’t find a Colby Jack blend, shredded mozzarella or a Mexican-style blend will work in its place. Discover more ideas for the big day in our best Thanksgiving recipes collection."

Total Time: 45 minutes, plus cooling; Yield:8 to 10 servings

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020515-southern-macaroni-and-cheese. Also, check out Alison Roman's guide, "How to Make Mac and Cheese."

While you're at it, if you haven't signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

Kosher salt and black pepper

1 pound elbow macaroni

2 cups whole milk

2 large eggs

4 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (about 16 ounces)

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted

2 cups shredded Colby Jack (about 8 ounces)

Preparation

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until a little under al dente, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk milk and eggs. Add cooked macaroni, 2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, melted butter, 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir until well combined.

Add half the macaroni mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle 1-1/2 cups Colby Jack evenly on top. Spread the remaining macaroni mixture on top in an even layer. Cover with aluminum foil, transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove from oven. Carefully remove and discard the aluminum foil. Top the macaroni mixture with the remaining 2 cups Cheddar and 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Broil on top rack until cheese is browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. (The broiled cheese can go from golden to burnt fairly quickly, so keep a close eye on it.)

Remove from oven and let cool until the macaroni and cheese is fully set, 10 to 15 minutes. (The mixture may first appear jiggly, but it will firm up as it cools.) Serve warm.

PAPRIKA CAULIFLOWER PITA POCKETS

This is from the September 2007 (?) issue of Vegetarian Times (page 76), and begins, "Cauliflower, like paprika, is frequently undervalued in home kitchens. What better way to highlight them both than with this simple dish. Try topping with fresh tomatoes, chopped black olives, and some low-fat Parmesan cheese." Makes 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/paprika-cauliflower-pita-pockets/.

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower (2 lb.), cut into bite-size florets

3 Tbs. olive oil

2 Tbs. sweet Hungarian paprika

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/2 tsp. fine sea salt

1 small red onion, diced (1 cup)

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)

1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth

2 Tbs. lemon juice

4 pita bread rounds, halved and warmed

Preparation

Steam cauliflower 7 to 9 minutes, or until tender.

Heat oil, paprika, pepper, and salt in nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, 2 minutes, or until fragrant, stirring constantly. Add onion and garlic, and sauté 2 minutes more. Stir in broth and cauliflower, and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in lemon juice. Serve with pita halves.

KIWI AND ORANGE COMPOTE WITH ALMONDS

This is from the May 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42). It is in an article titled Calci-yum!, and begins, "This is a very simple dessert: nothing more than fresh kiwi, oranges and a spiced syrup, but it tastes heavenly. " Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/kiwi-and-orange-compote-with-almonds/.

Ingredients

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 whole cardamom pods, crushed

2 whole allspice

1 cinnamon stick

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 large oranges, peeled and white pith removed, cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices

4 kiwis, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices

2 Tbs. sliced almonds, toasted

Preparation

Combine 3/4 cup water, sugar, cardamom, allspice and cinnamon in saucepan. Stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and cook until liquid is syrupy and slightly reduced, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.

Put orange and kiwi slices in shallow bowl. Pour hot syrup over fruit. Let cool to room temperature, cover and chill at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours. Sprinkle with almonds, and serve.

Burgers

Since Monday is Labor Day, signaling the unofficial end of summer, here are six Burgers to help you through the day. (After all, burgers seem to be the go-to summer meal in the U.S.) Check out the Black Bean Burgers with Avocado-Lime Mayo, the BBQ Tempeh Burgers, and the rest of today's offerings. Enjoy!

VEGAN REUBEN BURGERS

Recently, I was looking through old folders on my computer, seeing what I could delete, what to save, that sort of thing. We all need to do that periodically, right?

I stumbled across one folder that read "recipes from different sources" that had another folder inside called "more recipes from online." (Okay, you with me so far?) One of those recipes was labeled "How to Make Vegan Reuben Burgers (Recipe)" that had been posted in the Broward Palm Beach New Times waaaay back on November 7, 2014. Yikes!

The article (with recipe) was posted by Hannah Sentenac. (Sorry for the delay in posting this, Hannah!) The article starts off, "I was putting ketchup on some breakfast potatoes the other day when I noticed an intriguing recipe staring at me from the back of the Heinz bottle: Reuben Burgers.

"Needless to say, they weren't vegan. Nor were they healthy. Nonetheless, I was inspired to veganize them, and the end result was magically delicious. So delicious, in fact, that I knew I had to share."

And the recipe? Yum

You can view this online at https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/restaurants/how-to-make-vegan-reuben-burgers-recipe-6905451.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons sauerkraut

2 slices of rye bread (toasted)

2 slices Creamy Original Field Roast Chao Cheese (or dairy-free cheese of choice)

1/3 package Trader Joe's Beefless Ground Beef (or meatless crumbles of choice)

2 TBS Tofutti Sour Cream

2 TBS Heinz ketchup

Instructions:

Heat up the beefless beef in a skillet over medium heat for two or three minutes. Add the Tofutti Sour Cream and the Heinz Ketchup and stir until mixed.

Remove from heat and spoon mixture over pre-toasted slice of rye bread.

Top with Chao cheese and allow to melt (you can also pop it in the microwave for a few seconds -- Chao cheese is super melty). Then, spoon sauerkraut on top.

Top with remaining slice of rye bread. Cut in half. Eat. NOM NOM NOM.

VEGAN LENTIL BURGERS

This comes from Bunny Erica on the Genius Kitchen site. Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Yield: 8-10 burgers

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 cup dry lentils, well rinsed

2-1/2 cups water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 medium onion, diced

1 carrot, diced

1 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon soy sauce

3/4 cup rolled oats, finely ground

3/4 cup breadcrumbs

Directions

Boil lentils in the water with the salt for around 45 minutes. Lentils will be soft and most of the water will be gone.

Fry the onions and carrot in the oil until soft, it will take about 5 minutes.

In a bowl mix the cooked ingredients with the pepper, soy sauce, oats and bread crumbs.

While still warm form the mixture into patties, it will make 8-10 burgers.

Burgers can then be shallow fried for 1-2 minutes on each side or baked at 200C for 15 minutes.

GREEK-INSPIRED VEGGIE BURGERS

This is from WeightWwatchers, and begins, "Although you can use any frozen veggie burger you’d like, the flavors of Mediterranean chickpea burgers—made with spinach, tomatoes, and Greek spices—work particularly well here. We found that toasted or grilled English muffins make a great substitute for a hamburger bun; the craggy texture captures the tzatziki, a sauce made with yogurt, cucumber, and spices, perfectly without getting too soggy. It's pretty easy to find prepared tzatziki in markets, but you can make your own my mixing finely chopped or grated seeded and peeled cucumbers into plain yogurt and season with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice."

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes; Serves: 1; Difficulty: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 sprays cooking spray

1 serving frozen vegetarian burger(s)

1 English muffin, grilled or toasted

2 Tbsp Tzatziki

1/4 cup Roasted red peppers (packed in water), thinly sliced

1/4 cup Cucumbers, cut in ribbons with a peeler

Directions

Lightly coat grill pan with nonstick spray. Grill burger over medium heat, turning once, until cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes.

On English muffin, layer tzatziki, burger, red peppers, and cucumber.

BBQ TEMPEH BURGERS

This recipe is from Vegetarian Times, and can be found here. It begins, “The nutty flavor and meaty texture of tempeh makes it a natural fit for veggie burgers, and ounce for ounce, it contains twice the protein as tofu. Adding pinto beans means a big magnesium boost, which can help reduce your risk for diseases such as diabetes.”

Hands-On Time: 25 Minutes; Cook Time: 8 Minutes; Makes: 4 Servings

Ingredients

2 tsp oil

1 cup onions, chopped

1 cup carrots, chopped

1/4 tsp salt

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 cup cooked or canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup wheat germ

juice of 1/2 lime

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp almond or peanut butter

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp liquid smoke, optional

1 (8 oz) package tempeh, cubed

2 tbsp sesame seeds

4 hamburger buns

1/3 cup low-sugar barbecue sauce

1 cup roasted red peppers, sliced

2 cups cabbage, shredded

Directions

Heat oil in a skillet over medium. Add onions, carrots and salt and cook until onions have softened and darkened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. To a food processor container, add cooked vegetables, pinto beans, wheat germ, lime juice, tomato paste, nut butter, maple syrup, soy sauce, chili powder and liquid smoke (if using). Pulse until beans are roughly mashed but not pureed. Add tempeh and pulse until just incorporated. Form into 4 patties. Spread sesame seeds out on a plate and coat both sides of burgers with seeds. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Heat grill to medium and grease grates. Cook burgers until browned and warmed through, about 4 minutes per side. Serve on buns with equal amounts of barbecue sauce, red peppers and cabbage.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): calories 432, fat 16 g, carbs 56 g, fiber 11 g, sugar 7 g, protein 23 g, sodium 472 mg

Nutrition Boost: The beans and cabbage in this burger provide an insane amount of belly-friendly dietary fiber.

MEDITERRANEAN VEGGIE BURGERS

This comes from the July/August 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 62, and begins, “Eureka! We’ve found the secret “glue” that holds homemade veggie burgers together on an outdoor grill: purée the ingredients with overcooked pasta. A couple of other tips for success: be sure to pat the beans dry before you add them to the patty mixture, and use a stainless steel grill topper for a more stable grilling surface. Serve these mouthwatering miracles with your favorite burger buns and toppings.” Makes 6 burgers.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 oz. rigatoni

1/2 cup red quinoa

7 oz. low-sodium vegetable broth

1-1/2 tsp. olive oil

3/4 cup chopped onion

9 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1-1/2 cups cooked white beans, or 1 15-oz. can white beans, rinsed, drained, and thoroughly patted dry

1/2 cup steamed broccoli

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. finely shredded green cabbage

3 Tbs. finely chopped red bell pepper

2 Tbs. Tomato Sauce (recipe follows)

6 kalamata olives, sliced

2 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped

2 Tbs. canola oil for oiling patties and grill topper

Directions

Cook rigatoni in large pot of boiling salted water 19 minutes, or until very soft. Drain, measure out 1 1/2 cups very tightly packed rigatoni, and set aside.

Bring quinoa and broth to a boil in saucepan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook 13 minutes, or until slightly undercooked; some of the white germ will have opened, but much of the quinoa will still have a slight bite. Drain, and set aside.

Heat oil in small saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and cook 1 minute. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute more. Set aside.

Process rigatoni and white beans in food processor 1 minute, or until smooth and paste-like (it’s OK if there are a few small bits of pasta still intact). Transfer mixture to large bowl. Stir in 3/4 cup quinoa, broccoli, cabbage, bell pepper, tomato sauce, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and onion-garlic mixture. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Mash to combine. Form 6 1/2-cup-sized patties. Brush tops of each patty with canola oil.

Heat grill to high heat. Brush grill topper with canola oil. Place each patty oiled-side down on grill topper. Set grill topper on grill, close grill cover, and cook 6 to 7 minutes. Brush each patty again with oil, and carefully flip. Close grill, and grill 3 to 4 minutes more.

nutritional information Per Burger: Calories: 276; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 41 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 257 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan

BLACK BEAN BURGERS WITH AVOCADO-LIME MAYO

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings. Serving size: 1 burger.

Source: The Heart-Smart Diabetes Kitchen: Fresh, Fast and Flavorful Recipes Made with Canola Oil from the American Diabetes Association and CanolaInfo

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/black-bean-burgers-with-avocado-lime-mayo.

Ingredients

Mayonnaise

1/2 ripe medium avocado, peeled and pitted

2 Tbsp canola mayonnaise

1 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1 Tbsp water

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Burgers

1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 of (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper

1/3 cup quick-cooking oats

2 large egg whites

1 Tbsp canola oil

1/8 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Other ingredients

canola oil cooking spray

4 whole-wheat hamburger buns, split and toasted

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

4 tomato slices

4 lettuce leaves

4 lime wedges (optional)

Directions

Place canola mayonnaise ingredients in a blender, secure lid, and puree until smooth.

Place beans in a gallon-size resealable bag. Using a meat mallet, pound beans to a coarse texture, resembling lumpy mashed potatoes. Place beans in a medium bowl and add bell pepper, oats, egg whites, canola oil, and cayenne pepper. Mix well and shape into four patties.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with canola oil cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add patties and cook 4 minutes on each side or until they begin to lightly brown. The patties will be fragile, so be sure to turn them gently.

To assemble, spoon 1 Tbsp canola mayonnaise mixture on each bun half. Top each bottom bun with burger, onion, a tomato slice, and a lettuce leaf. Place bun tops over each. Serve with lime wedges.

Fresh tip: If desired, omit the buns and serve the patties on the lettuce leaf, tomato slice, and onion. Spoon the mayonnaise mixture on top of the patties and serve with lime wedges.

Notes: Jazz up these tasty burgers with avocado-lime mayo and you’ll have a vegetarian sandwich that even die-hard meat eaters will love.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 300; Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: 1.8 g; Fiber: 10 g; Sodium: 785 mg; Protein: 19 g; Carbohydrates: 33 g