Black Bean Sliders

I LOVE black bean burgers and I decided to put a twist on them. Took my regular black bean burger recipe and made them cute and little, just like sliders.  :) I put a poll on my facebook & instagram to see which recipe you would like to see my post today, and this is the one that won!

Aren't they adorable???

Here is the recipe....

Black Bean Sliders

1 Can strained and Rinsed Black Beans

1/4 cup diced red onions

1/4 cup diced red, green or yellow peppers (I combined all three but make sure it equals 1/4 cup)

1tbsp Plain breadcrumbs

1 tsp onion powder

Mash black beans well with fork. Once they are mashed mix in onions, peppers, breadcrumbs and onion powder.  Form mixture into small patties. Cook on grill med/high heat for 10-12 mins, I used my George Foreman, you may also BBQ but make sure to put patties on a greased tinfoil on the BBQ or it will fall through the grates. Eat and enjoy!!

Double Chocolate Cookies

I LOVE dessert and I LOVE chocolate even more. Ever since I have been 'clean eating' I have been trying all sorts of healthy recipes, learning to cook and bake different ways with ingredients I have never thought of using before. Trying to find a healthy dessert recipe that tastes good is even harder. A good dessert is hard to find without being packed with refined sugars and flour, right? WRONG! I came up with this double chocolate cookie recipe... the secret ingredient? BLACK BEANS! Please don't knock them before you try them. They come out soft , chocolatey, cake-like and oh so delicious!!!

Double Chocolate cookies

2 tbsp whole wheat flour 

1/8 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

4tbsp cocoa powder

1 can rinsed & strained black beans (make sure to rinse really well)

2tbsp peanut butter (or other nut butter)

3tbsp Agave nectar 

2tsp Truvia (or stevia)

1tbsp coconut oil

2tbsp chocolate almond milk (or milk of choice)

Chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Makes 10-12 cookies

In a bowl mix together Flour, Salt, Baking Powder, Cocoa Powder, and set aside. In a food processor (or powerful blender such as a Ninja) combine Black Beans, peanut butter, Agave nectar, Truvia, Coconut oil, and milk, blend well (2-3 mins depending on processor) it will look like a paste. Add dry ingredients a little bit at a time until blended well (will have cookie- dough like consistency).  Use a medium-sized ice cream scoop and scoop onto a cookie sheet (if you don't have an ice cream scoop you may use a tablespoon). Sprinkle chocolate chips on top (you may have to press into cookie for them to stay).  Bake 10-12 mins. Cool before eating and ENJOY!!!!! How can something so yummy be healthy??? 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal.

I used to LOVE prepackaged oatmeal, so sugary and flavorful, but I know it's not as good for you as making your own. Plain oatmeal to me is just that, plain, boring, flavorless. I was brainstorming ideas to make the plain, boring oatmeal, sweet and tastey and here is what I came up with.... And it's VEGAN FRIENDLY!

TAH-DAH Chocolate peanut butter oatmeal. Here is the recipe.....

1/2 cup rolled Oats

1/4 cup coconut milk (Canned full-fat makes the oatmeal creamier)

3/4 Cup Chocolate Almond milk

1/2 frozen ripe banana

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp peanut butter

1/8 tsp salt (do not omit)

2 tsp Stevia

a sprinkle of chocolate chips

Cook the oatmeal, coconut milk, and almond milk on stove according to package directions. While oatmeal is cooking microwave banana for 20-35 seconds in microwave (until mostly defrosted). Mash together banana, vanilla extract, peanut butter, salt, and stevia until well mixed. When oatmeal is finished cooking transfer to serving bowl, top with peanut butter mixture and a sprinkle of chocolate chips. ENJOY!!!

Happy New Year! Let's cook!

Hello and happy new year, have you stuck with your resolutions? I hope so!
 I hope to update this blog with a yummy recipe at least once a week (starting today) in this new year. I have been posting lots of photos of my creations on Facebook, friends have been been asking for my recipes, and I am sure some of my friends are getting sick of my food photos, so I will post them here! I have also been very inspired by a fellow blogger Chocolate Covered Katie and would like to try to be more consistent with my blogging. Ok enough about me and on with the food!

This week's recipe I will share is BBQ Chickpea burgers.

This recipe makes 4 medium-sized burgers

1 Can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
2tsp minced garlic
1tsp onion powder
1/4. Cup whole wheat flour (any flour will do)
1tsp parsley flakes
1 egg
1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
BBQ sauce of your choice

In a bowl, mash chickpeas until all are smashed. Slowly smash in egg, flour and breadcrumbs until well mixed. Add garlic, onion powder and parsley flakes. Once all ingredients are mixed, form into 4medium  sized burgers and dust with breadcrumbs on the on outsideCook on George Foreman grill for 7 minutes on med/high heat, coat burgers with BBQ sauce and cook another 1-2 minutes.

**If cooking on BBQ, make sure to put foil on grill as burger may fall through. Cooking time may vary.

Well that's all I have for now, have a great week!

Vegetarian traveling to Disney? No problem!

As a Walt Disney World passholder I am constantly traveling to Disney for weekend fun! I am happy to say that my recent visits to the park as a vegetarian have been very pleasurable. Vegetarians know how frustrating it is to go to a restaurant, and have only a salad as an option as your meal. You will not have to worry about that at any of the Walt Disney World parks!

In October hubby and I did out annual trip to the Epcot Food and Wine fest. I was a little nervous because I was hoping that each country had a vegetarian option so I can get the same eating around-the-world experience as the non-vegetarians do. I am happy to say that MOST of the countries had a vegetarian option on the menu, and there was even a vegetarian booth amongst all the others! I am also happy that at the food and wine fest they give you small portions of food so you can try all the different food from around the world. It was a delicious experience and my mouth is watering just typing about it! Below is a photo of one of my favorite vegetarian options. It was from South Africa and it's called a Spinach and Paneer cheese pocket.

This past weekend hubby and I went to the Magic kingdom to celebrate my mom's birthday. For lunch I was able to get a delicious veggie burger (YUM)! You can tell it was homemade and not frozen. I was a little nervous about dinner. I made reservations at a restaurant called  "Liberty Tree Tavern," which is a sit-down restaurant with table service buffet, which basically means they bring the buffet to your table. The menu only showed Pork, Turkey, and Roast beef on the menu with mashed potatos, mac and cheese, and seasonal veggies. I figured I would be fine with that and just eat everything but the meat, but when my dad mentioned to the waiter that I was vegetarian, the chef came out to our table and explained she was going to prep a meal especially for me (and it was vegan!). It was a fried quinoa burger that had peas and carrots inside with sweet potato fries. Such great service and it was DEEELISH!

So my fellow vegetarians if you are planning a trip to disney in the near future, have no fear you won't have to only eat salad and you will not starve!!!

Thanksgiving Feast

Sorry I have not blogged in awhile! It's November, my favorite time of the year and my favorite holiday is this month. No, it's not my birthday... it's Thanksgiving! So what do vegetarians eat for Thanksgiving? Well there is so much more to this holiday besides the Turkey. In this blog I will be giving you some yummy ideas to create your perfect vegetarian Thanksgiving feast!

Here is a list of Thanksgiving staples, put them all together or mix and match for your own perfect meal :)

1. Tofurkey
If you are just missing having your turkey at the table this is a tasty alternative. Everything you need comes in the box (Including stuffing and gravy) and this product is GMO free! I will be making myself Tofurkey this Thanksgiving. Save a Turkey, eat Tofurkey!!!

2. Sweet potato casserole

Who doesn't LOVE a sweet potato casserole? Ok I'll admit it, I did not when I was little (I never tasted it when I was little it was just one of those things I said I didn't like) and boy was I missing out!! Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants, fiber,  and vitamins E and C, add a little cinnamon, almond milk, and a little brown sugar, and you have yourself a delicious treat! You may even add Pecans or marshmallows on top if you feel a little more daring :)

3. Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower

These were always my favorite veggies at thanksgiving time (and all the time). To make them special, drizzle a little hot cheese sauce on top (Don't go too crazy, cheese sauce can be fatty) and vola! YUMYUMYUM!

4.Garlic Rosemary Mashed potatoes

I like my mashed potatoes how my mommah makes them... a little lumpy and with the skins! YUM

5. Green Bean Casserole

Need I say more?

6.Baked Stuffed Mushrooms

Mom always made the best! I will have to ask her for her secret recipe and post it!

I think you all get the idea of how you can be vegetarian and still enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal without the Turkey. There's so many veggies out there that you can mix and match as many as you want. What is your favorite vegetarian Thanksgiving dish??

Next blog I plan on posting my mom's delicious stuffed mushroom recipe (if she is willing to share).

Until next time... Happy, Healthy Eating!!

Healthier!

It's been 3 weeks since I decided to become a vegetarian and it's been going pretty well. I feel more energized and healthier. My food is more colorful and I don't feel bloated after a meal anymore. I recommend this lifestyle for anyone looking to make a healthy change, but make sure you do your research and eat the right foods so you get all the nutrients your body needs. I will end this blog with a photo from tonight's dinner. This is another dish I made up. Greek inspired! Whole grain couscous, Greek olives, chickpeas, snap peas, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and feta cheese in an olive oil, garlic, parsley sauce ;) it was deeeeelish!