Quick Black Bean Burger to the Rescue

I love food, trying out new recipes and cooking. But sometimes, the idea of planning, shopping and cooking for the family can be overwhelming. Especially when this grand plan needs to include who is eating when, and where (like the car, between evening activities). Most nights, someone is on the go. We try to sit down and eat together as often as possible, but it just is not always possible.

This week I was feeling uninspired about what to make so I did what so many do, and I took my problem to facebook. I got so many great answers, and most importantly, I got inspiration and encouragement. "OH yeah, that is one of my family's favorites also...." But I also got a new recipe. And I am so excited about it! We love Mexican meals, and we love meals that offer toppings, which means everyone can make it the way they like it. We also happen to love black beans, and eat them in so many ways, but I had never made black beans before. When a facebook friend shared her quick black bean burger recipe from myrecipes.com, I knew we had to try it. Well, we had them last night, and I can tell you, they were a HUGE success! Everyone loved them and they were super easy! Win-win! I adapted the recipe slightly. Here is what I did. I doubled it and that was perfect for our family. Next time I may triple to have some leftovers, because I think this would be a great next day lunch or to freeze a few to have when needed.

1 c. bread crumbs

3 Tbsp olive oil, divided

2 tsp chopped garlic

1 (15.25 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 tsp grated lime rind

1 Tbsp chopped cilantro

3/4 tsp chili powder

3/4 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp salt

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Combine 1 Tbsp oil, garlic and beans in processor. Pulse until beans make a thick paste. Stir in remaining ingredients. With moistened hands, divide mixture into 4 equal portions. Heat remaining oil in a large skillet or grill pan over med-high heat. Add patties to pan; reduce heat to medium and cook for 4 minutes or until bottom edges are browned. Carefully turn patties over and cook additional 3 minutes. 

I placed some monterey jack cheese on top and broiled before serving.

We served on buns with the following toppings: spicy mayo (mayo, Sirachi sauce, sweet chili sauce), avocado slices, tomato slices, black bean corn salsa. Also with green salad and a roasted corn salad. It was a quick, easy and complain-less meal! Will make again.

Thai Pork Wrap-Ups

Trying to get into Back to School and fall activity mode, I did some pre-planning for easy meals. I just found this in the new Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine in an article on 16 FAST IDEAS and had it tonight. It is great for a quick meal. It comes together very fast. In this case, I made it ahead of time and popped it in the freezer - took it out and had it for a quick-on-the-go-dinner. These are ingredients that are easy to have on hand and ones I intend to make sure I have in. Whether I cook it a-up ahead of time or make it on the go, we will be having this one again. We really liked it.:)

**Two notes: 1. It says it serves 4. I have some large nephews that I could see eating all, or at least half, of this meal in one sitting. 2. If you like it spicy, feel free to add some extra sriracha sauce on top at the end. It is delicious!

1 lb. ground pork

1 clove garlic, grated

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 c chopped cilantro

1 Tbsp lime juice

1 Tbsp fish sauce

1 tsp sriracha

1 tsp brown sugar

1 head butter lettuce
veggies of choice -- bok choy, peppers, onions, grated carrots or zucchini, whatever you have on hand! It is a great way to add in a lot of veggies. Chop them and sauté them with the meat.

Cook pork and garlic in oil over high, 7 minutes. Off heat, stir in next 5 ingredients. Serve with lettuce. Serves 4.

What is your favorite recipe to make?

From Real Simple's Take Back Dinner Challenge:

Always be on the lookout for new recipe ideas. Read your local paper’s food section or food blogs, keep a folder designated specifically for recipes you want to try, trade recipes with friends, and find inspiration from your favorite restaurants—try to replicate your favorite dish at home.

Idea to Try: Ask a friend for her favorite recipe and make it this week.

So, what is your favorite recipe to make? Let's share here!

My favorite would be "make your own pizza night." I make the dough from New Basics (below) then divide it into pieces for each kid and a larger one or two for George and I to share. The kids love to shape and top their own. Their favorite toppings are sauce, cheese, olives, mushrooms, tomatoes. Occasionally one of them will be a little more creative (Holland loves Hawaiin). I like to use whatever is seasonal or in the house, but some of our all-time favorites are: fresh mozzarella, tomato & basil; pesto & shrimp; and carmelized onions and blue cheese. We love to play with whatever veggies and cheeses we have on hand. I think I want to try one with grilled chicken and spicy peanut sauce soon (one of my current favorite combos). (Feel free to share your favorite pizza toppings, too - maybe we'll try your's next!)

1 c warm water

1 package active dry yeast or 1/4 oz compressed yeast

2 1/2 - 3 c flour

2 T olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

Combine water, east, and add 1 1/2 c of flour in a large bowl. Mix well. Add the oil, salt and remaining flour. With your hands or a large wooden spoon, work the ingreditents together until the dough holds its shape. (You may need a bit less flour, so add the last half gradually.)

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until it is smooth and elastic, 5 minutes. If the dough becomes sticky while you are kneading it, sprinkle a bit more flour over it.

Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled 2-qt bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let the dough rest until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour.

When the dough has risen, place it on a lightly floured surface, diveid it into two or more parts and roll them into balls. Cover them with a towel and let rest for 15-20 minutes. The dough is now ready to be shaped, topped & cooked.

Two 12-inch pizzas, 4 6-inch pizzas, 8 3-inch pizzas

Thanksgiving

Now that Halloween is over, I am ready to turn my attention to my Thanksgiving menu. I am hosting my husband's family here. One thing I need to be conscious of this year is that I only have an oven, stove and microwave to cook in - no convection oven as in the past. That means I need to be conscious of how much I need to get into the oven after the bird comes out to rest.

I am thinking I might do a pumpkin soup first course and will probably do the make-ahead mashed potatoes. I think the Moriarty stuffing is a must (the only recipe I know of that was passed down through my father-in-law, and the only food I ever saw him help prepare), and it is quite good. Aside from that, I haven't decided.

What are you making this year?

New Veggie Recipes

I went to a CSA yesterday with a friend to share in her bounty and came home with some swiss chard, okra, tomatillos and bok choy. Anyone have any great recipes for these?

Sarah's Cinnamin Rolls

Therese and I made these last week and they were so yummy:)
Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
courtesy Sandra Lee

1 loaf frozen white bread dough, thawed in refrigerator
Flour, for dusting surface
Filling:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2/3 stick butter, softened
Icing:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to form a 15 by 7-inch rectangle. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside. Spread 2/3 cup softened butter over dough and then evenly sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Starting at the long edge, roll up dough as for a jelly roll. Cut roll into 16 slices and then set aside in a warm place and allow dough to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Divide rolls among 2 lightly buttered round baking pans. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden on top. While the rolls are baking, combine the icing ingredients with an electric mixer until fluffy. Frost the warm rolls with the icing. Serve warm.

Holiday favorites?

I'm the 1st to post in 2010! Are we all still full from the holidays? What were your favorites of the holidays? Share any new recipes, please!

Summer Recipes

Now that summer vacation is here -- regardless of what the weather is saying -- I want light, fresh food. What are your favorite summer recipes?

Cowboy Caviar Recipe please!

Sarah,

I love your Cowboy Caviar! In fact I think I ate the whole bowl of it when we were visiting this summer. Can you please share your recipe? I want to make it for a Cinco de Mayo party!

Thanks,

Chocolate Caramel Rolo Cookies

I saw this recipe on the link below and couldn't resist sharing it. These cookies are so delicious! Enjoy!

Chocolate Caramel Cookies

28 min | 20 min prep

30-36 Cookies

2 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter, softened

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 eggs

30-36 chocolate-covered caramel candies

2 tablespoons sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a large mixing bowl, add sugar, brown sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla. Mix together until well blended.

3. Add flour, cocoa and baking soda and mix well.

4. Refrigerate and chill dough for 30 minutes.

5. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place 1 chocolate-covered caramel candy in the center of each dough ball.

6. Form the dough ball around the majority of the chocolate-covered caramel candy

7. Roll each dough ball in sugar.

8. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 7-10 minutes.

9. Let cool on pan for 1 minute then take off and place on cookie cooling rack.

Adopt a Blogger #3 (and Chocolate Caramel Rolo Cookies)

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What are your favorite appetizers this season?

Sour-Cream Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

Anyone have the recipe handy? I can't find mine and am having a coffee/playdate tomorrow morning.

Update: Eileen shared the recipe with me, so I am adding here on the front page so it is nice and easy to find. A family favorite!

Chocolate Chip coffee cake
!/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs 
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp Vanilia
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda

Topping
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts
2 tsp cinnamon

Cream together butter,sugar,eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Sift together flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Combine 2 mixes. 
Spoon 1/2 batter into pan. Top with 1/2 chip mixture. Cover with rest of batter. Top with rest of chip mixture.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Mom always does her in a fluted pan but I have trouble getting it to cook through in that pan so I do a 9x13. So you may need to adjust baking time.