I had some black beans in the freezer that I needed to use up. I was leafing through V-con, and saw a nice looking recipe for black-bean burgers. I had all the ingredients here, so I decided to make them. They came together in a total of 15 minutes. So it's a super quick and easy recipe. They were really, really good. Probably the best bean burgers I've ever made. Like the chickpea cutlets, they use vital wheat gluten to bind them and give them a bit of a chewy texture. That texture is a little difficult for me to get used to. It wouldn't bother me in a store-bought product, but for some reason it's a weird texture for food that I make at home. The bean burgers (and the chickpea cutlets), are both fantastic, though. I guess it will just take a little getting used to. I definitely plan on making these again. They're just so easy. I topped them with a little sour cream and salsa, and I ate mine sans buns. I roasted some asparagus to go with them. Honestly, finding a nice variety of veggies in WV in the winter is not easy. I feel like it's always broccoli, asparagus and brussel sprouts!The previous night, I made some baked ziti. I used to make it frequently, but realized that I hadn't even made it since I started this blog! I used whole-wheat penne pasta, some ricotta, and some crushed tomatoes which I seasoned with garlic and other Italian spices. I topped it with mozzerella, and baked at 350 for about 30 minutes. It was pretty tasty, and it's something the kids will actually eat!
I have to say, I haven't been using the computer or listening to music much this week. I bought the latest Stephen King book, Duma Key, last weekend. I started reading it Monday, and it has pretty much consumed every spare minute. It's very, very good. Then again, I've never read a Stephen King book that I didn't like. Duma Key has really gotten rave reviews, though. I'll probably finish it sometime today.
9 comments:
I'm making some bean and grain burgers from Vegan Planet tomorrow. They also call for vital wheat gluten, which I'm kind of scared of, but, being vegan, they need a binder, so what are ya gonna do?? I hope they turn out as good as yours sound!!
The baked ziti sounds yummy too, Mairin and Rob would love it!! Too much dairy for poor lactose intolerant Stella.
Black bean burgers. Didn't I make a comment about them some time ago. Delicious, aren't they?
The burgers sound (and look) good, but where the heck do ya find vital wheat gluten?!?!?
I love black bean burgers. I buy the frozen kind for myself whenever my family wants burgers (not a big burger-eater, although I'm not totally veg.) But it would be cool to make fresh and not eat frozen.
Carrie: I can't wait to see how yours turn out!
IF: Yes, you most certainly did. I totally forgot about that when I found the recipe, even though I had wanted to make them ever since you mentioned them.
Becky: Vital wheat gluten is with the flour and bread-making stuff at the grocery store. I think it's almost always required for 100% whole grain bread recipes, so I think most larger stores would carry. I get mine at Kroger.
I dig the vital wheat gluten, personally. I'm going to try to avoid every actually seeing it, though, because that seems to be what grosses you out the most about it. I like the texture it creates, though.
sleek: You mean seeing it when it's already mixed in and looks stringy? 'Cause otherwise it just looks like flour.
Right, DM, the stringy stuff that grosses you out. I don't wanna see it.
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