Monday, August 19, 2013

Recipe - Black Bean Burgers

These burgers will be a regular rotation for us. We ate without a bun, but they honestly don't need it (especially when you eat them with sweet potato fries) and we didn't miss a real meat burger either. The smokiness with the creole seasoning gave it the taste of eating a grilled burger.

Ingredients
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 7 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 (15.5 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2; tsp ground coriander
  • 2 tsp hot sauce
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp Creole seasoning

How to Make It
1.) Cook onion with 1 tbsp olive oil in saute pan until lightly caramelized. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
2.) In a bowl, mash beans with back of a fork until smooth. Stir in cooled onion mixture, cilantro, egg, salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, and hot sauce. Mix well.
3.) Shape into patties and dust with flour and seasoning.
4.) Heat remaining oil in a nonstick skillet. Cook patties until golden on both sides.
5.) Optionally, top with tomatoes, sour cream, or guacamole.


Nutritional Breakdown
Per serving
Calories: 391
Protein: 16 g
Carbs: 46 g
Fat: 16 g
Fiber: 11 g
Serves 4

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

"Millions of peaches peaches for me"

We have done quite a bit of fruit picking this summer. In July it was blueberries, and just 2 weeks ago, it was peaches and blackberries. For the peaches and blackberries, we went to Crooked Run Orchard (http://crookedrunorchard.com/) out in Purcellville when Mom and Dad Kelley were visiting. I didn't get any pictures while picking b/c there was a steady drizzle of rain the entire time. The only benefit of this was that it wasn't one million degrees outside. With the four of us picking, we ended up with 8lbs of blackberries and 7lbs of peaches. We froze most of the blackberries for now with plans to make blackberry liquor, but we did whip up a cobbler. The recipe is from the Pioneer Woman and the only thing we did differently was toss some sugar with the blackberries to get some more juice. Recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/blackberry-cobbler-recipe/index.html

Blackberry Cobbler

However, I have gone a little Pinterest crazy with coming up with different ways to use the peaches. I've made Fridge Jam (differences is that it doesn't use pectin, but you have to put in fridge and use instead of storing it in the pantry). It turned out fabulous and was SO simple! I've used it on english muffins, in yogurt and even on top of ice cream. Recipe: http://www.crunchycreamysweet.com/2012/08/16/peach-jam-fridge-style/





















Another recipe I found on Pinterest: http://fooddonelight.com/peach-chutney/
This was another easy recipe and made the house smell amazing. We served the chutney with baked chicken thighs and it ended up being a great meal that we will for sure make again. I'll write up a separate post for this dinner.
Chutney simmering

Peach Chutney
And finally, what summer would be complete without enjoying some homemade peach cobbler? I used Paula Deen's recipe for Peach Cobbler.



Blueberry Liquor


The morning we picked blueberries at Sinking Creek Farm was incredibly hot and humid, so we only ended up with about 3lbs of blueberries. Most of the berries we ate raw or used in baking, but R did use the remaining blueberries for liquor. We have to let it sit for 2-3 months before we try it...will report back on how it turned out.

Visiting the Hambricks!

In July, we ventured down to SW VA to meet the newest member of the Hambrick clan. Conrad was born in June, so he was six weeks old when we visited. Another reason for our visit was to celebrate Sophia's 2nd birthday and of course spend quality time with our friends. We arrived late Friday night and stayed up late catching up with Julia and ogling over little C. Saturday, Robert and I got up early so we could head out to pick blueberries at Sinking Creek Farm (http://www.sinkingcreekfarm.net/) in Newport, VA (about 15 miles W of Blacksburg). Here are some pictures from our visit...









Best donuts in Blacksburg!
The birthday girl!



Uncle Dahbert playing with Sophia.

Her crazy hair is courtesy of Aunt Beans! Clearly, I need some practice!