Black Bean Burgers - Meatless Meals!

I was chatting with a friend and she gave me the idea to start a meatless section of my blog. So I will include recipes from the meal planning weeks as well as other recipes here on this section of the blog. I called these 'Meatless Meals' because a lot of them still require cheese and dairy, which some vegetarians don't eat. So, hence 'Meatless Meals' and not a true 'Vegetarian' section. Hope you all enjoy and maybe you can start a Meatless Monday with your family once a week...or more! We try to go meatless at least once a week. :)

Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 15-oz can organic black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 egg
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs (I like to make my own by toasting bread and then placing in a food processor. You could also use gluten-free bread if needed.) 
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder (forgot this in the picture!)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Hot sauce to taste (optional)
• 1 to 2 TB organic EVOO
• Whole wheat (or gluten-free) hamburger buns
• Romaine lettuce
• Tomato, sliced
• Avocado, sliced

Directions:

Put beans in a large bowl and mash well with a fork or a potato masher. 

Add egg, yellow onion, bread crumbs (see picture), oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and hot sauce.

To make your own bread crumbs, toast bread well and place in food processor.
Pulse till a fine consistency.

Mix well to combine then shape into 6 patties.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat (I like to use avocado oil).

Arrange patties in a single layer (working in batches if needed) and cook, flipping once, until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 10 minutes total. 

Transfer to buns and top with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and any other toppings of your liking. Serve with sweet potato fries or a side salad.
Makes 6 burgers.

*Use organic ingredients whenever possible

Mexican Pizza - Meatless Meals!

Mexican Pizza 

Ingredients:

• Sprouted corn tortillas or whole grain tortillas 
• 1.5 cups salsa or tomato sauce
• 2 cups canned organic black beans or meat of your choice (I just use one can)
• 1 cup green pepper chopped
• 1/2 white onion
• 1/2 jalapeño pepper thinly sliced (optional)
• 1 cup freshly grated organic cheddar cheese
• 1 TB chili powder (optional)
• 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 lime
• 1 or 2 avocados

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400º. 

As oven is preheating, place tortillas on rack in oven for 3-4 minutes (until tortilla becomes hard but not crisp). 

Remove tortillas and first top with 1/4 cup salsa, a sprinkle of chili powder, 1/3 black beans, green peppers, onions, cheese, and topping with jalapeño (just eye ball all the ingredients when it comes to topping the tortilla...just go with how much you want).

Top toasted tortillas with salsa

Add black beans, green bell pepper, white onion (for my 3-yr old, I only put the black beans) 

Finally top with freshly grated cheddar cheese

Place tortillas back in oven and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Remove from oven and serve with a slice of lime, chopped romaine, avocado or sour cream. Delicious!!

(Since this will be a repeat meal for the next day, I just chop extra so I don't have to the next night and then all I have to do is prepare the tortillas and bake.)

*Use organic ingredients whenever possible

*Recipe from Food Babe