Black Bean Burgers

Alright today is the day I share one of my absolute favorite vegan recipes with you.  My black bean burger recipe would make a die hard burger fan consider giving up meat - at least for a moment!  I've tried so many recipes and this is the best one I have ever tried.   These black bean burgers stay moist and can be frozen and the best part - the secret ingredient, sweet potatoes!

They are so yummy so without further ado here is the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Black Beans (cooked & drained)
• 1 cup Sunflower Seeds
• 1 cup Cooked Quinoa (I like the red quinoa in this recipe the best but you can use any)
• 1 cup Quick Oats
• 2 t Red Wine Vinegar
• 2 T Braggs Amino Acids
• 2 T Water
• 1 t Cumin
• 2 t Chili Powder
• 1 cup Red Onion (minced)
• 1 cup Sweet Potatoes (grated)

Directions:

• Smash your black beans!  The more smashed the better the burger will stick together
• Mix in the rest of the ingredients 
• Add in a little extra water if the consistency seems to dry
• Shape into burger and grill on the stove top with a little coconut oil for about 3 minutes on each side.
  

 I also use this mixture for wraps and for taco "meat" and it is delicious in all of them!

This recipe will make about 10 cups worth of "meat"  I freeze it into meal size quantities so I can grab and go for a meal that day.  I usually get 4 meals out of one recipe.  It is great to have on hand when company comes over unexpectedly.  The black bean recipe also calls for a lot of ingredients and I find it isn't worth the time and mess in my kitchen if I don't make it in big quantities.  When I make this recipe I actually make 4 x the recipe so I have enough to last me at least 3 months (depending on how many times I have company over!)

Hope you enjoy let me know what you think of my yummy recipe!

Italian Seasoning and Salad Dressing

Well, since moving to Texas I haven't had a ton of time to try out new recipes.  The unpacking and just trying to get the pantry and cleaning products stocked again has kept me pretty busy.  However, I ran out of Italian seasoning the other day and decided it couldn't be hard to mix up a batch and I was right.  
Not only is making your own seasoning mix super easy and way cheaper, it also tastes better and is missing all those lovely preservatives, chemicals and other yucky stuff they put in traditional seasoning mixes.  I only use dried organic spices in all my cooking which makes this recipe even better.  Making the homemade Italian seasoning sent me on a kick of trying other seasoning too!  I've made Taco, Ranch, Lemon Pepper, and a stir fry seasoning.  I'll get some of these recipes up on the blog soon, but today I have to share my Italian seasoning with you!

Here are the basic ingredients:

4 T Garlic Salt
4 T Onion Powder
2 1/2 T Oregano
4 T Parsley
1 t Pepper
1 t Thyme
2 t Celery salt

Put all the dried ingredients into a food processor and blend till everything looks to be about the same size, like this!

I keep my seasoning in a mason jar and use it the sprinkle on foods as I am cooking.  

My kids love baked chicken with the seasoning sprinkled over the top of it.  I put organic free range chicken breast in a Pyrex dish with water (enough water that all the chicken is about 1/2 covered in water) then sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken.  Cover with tin foil and bake for about 45 minutes or till the chicken seems done.   

I've also used this seasoning while grilling veggies in my wok.  It tastes great with zucchini, squash, green beans, or eggplant.  I'm sure it would be great with veggies on the BBQ too, but I haven't done that yet.  

And the best part about the homemade Italian seasoning is that it makes a killer Italian salad dressing that tastes so good on a basic garden salad.  

Here are the ingredients I use to make the salad dressing:

2 T Italian Seasoning Mix

1/2 Cup Olive Oil

1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar

d

(For a yummy spin on a traditional Italian dressing recipe substitute the apple cider vinegar for balsamic vinegar) 

Mix all the ingredients together and use on a salad.  I like this dressing best on a basic garden salad - spinach and romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, and sunflower seeds is all you need!  

Hope you enjoy the Italian seasoning and salad dressing!  Let me know if you make any other types of seasoning!