I know Independence wasn’t official until the 4th, but for the sake of my blogging and working schedule, I’m pretending America was born this Friday. Ya dig?
On that note, what’s a 4th of July celebration without burgers?
Vegan black bean/quinoa burgers of course!
Kyle was on a flight to CA, so I had the day off with no agenda whatsoever, so I decided to spend some time cooking. I’ll be working the next 3 days in a row (Sat/Sun/Mon) so I wanna get stocked up to minimize (eliminate) my dinner prep.
I’ve been wanting to do a black bean burger for a while now, so after perusing a few cookbooks, I decided to adapt a recipe from the Bible (aka Veganomicon). Instead of using vital wheat gluten, I subbed in quinoa and TVP. I made a huge batch of quinoa yesterday, so I had extra, and I have textured veg protein that’s rapidly approaching it’s “use by” date. Hence the exchanges.
Other subs included the addition of broccoli slaw (home made with brocc, cabbage, and shredded carrots) as well as clover sprouts. The sprouts acted as a good agent to hold things together, which was my main worry without the wheat gluten. All in all I’d say it was a grand success! Here are some photos as I cooked.
TVP, cooled quinoa, black beans (pre and post mixing)
*side note: mashing beans with a fork is the most intense arm workout
Plus the sprouts and brocc slaw…stir stir stir
Molded into 4 patties
ZOOM!
And off to the oven they went! Once they were done, I let them cool and packaged them up for later tonight.
But for now, let me get back to breakfast…
While Kyle was flying to So Cal for bachelor festivities (not his) I made a frothy coffee and watched The View. It was an old one, but I was in Hawaii when it originally aired, so it was all good (well, that’s debatable, but you know what I mean).
After a bit I had a bowl of greek yog with a nectarine. This one wasn’t so virginal and gave it up way easier (the pit, of course). Half went into the yog, and the other half waited patiently on the side lines…and was then savored on it’s own. Juicy!
Still craving sugar, I opted for the 3 biggest papaya spears I could find. Who says size doesn’t matter?
Why does this post seem so sexual? Back to the G-rated meals.
I knew I was going to the gym in a bit, so I just wanted a light snack.
New product alert!
VeganRella additional stats here. They make a cheddar and a mozzarella flavor. I knew I was going to the gym in a bit, so I just wanted a little snack.
Apples and vegan mozz “cheese”
At first bite, I was surprised at how salty the “cheese” tasted. The consistency was just like real cheese though, it sliced nicely, and was perfectly soft. I especially liked the flavor contrast when combined with the sweet crunch of the gala apple slices. I was actually really surprised at how much I liked it…not that I was expecting to dislike it, but cheese just seems like it’s one of those foods that no imitation would be able to replicate the true flavor. Now, to be fair, it’s been nearly 10 years since I’ve actually had real cheese, so my taste buds are a bit out of practice. Will I buy it again? YES! I can’t wait to try the cheddar flavor too!
I also had half of this chocolate Green SuperFood bar. I rarely (ok, never) eat halves of bars, but this was one dense motha!
Then I headed to the gym, where I pooped out after 45 minutes on the elliptical. I felt like a lame-o but I was tired! Hmmm.
Anyways, rather than push myself, I headed to the mats to stretch it out, while listening to a Jillian podcast. I love her.
On the way home from the gym, I had a few errands to run (face soap, lunch baggies, etc.), and with Jillian’s info fresh in my ear, I decided to try some new things.
Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Wash.
I love it when a product’s “does not contain” list is longer than the actual ingredients. Plus it smells really good.
Alba pineapple enzyme facial cleaner
I have tried a few of alba’s other products (namely their sunscreen) so I knew this would be a winner.
I used both new products in my post-gym shower and I will definitely buy them again. They smelled great and left my skin so fresh and so clean clean. Plus it’s always nice to know I’m not rubbing cancer causing chemicals or hormone altering crap all over my body. Right?
Anyways, my tum was growling…time for my patriotic dinner! Red, white and blue black burger.
Tomato, mozzarella “cheese,” and black bean/quinoa burger on an english muffin.
YUM!
The burger was so perfect. It wasn’t moist, but wasn’t dry, it was JUST RIGHT. It had a Mexican flavor to it, which was weird considering it was a burger, despite tasting like a burrito. I think I’ll add more spices in next time though, because I was a pansy this time around, and a little more kick never hurt anyone, right?
I wasn’t really hungry, but I wanted another, so I waited a bit and then plated one more pattie, along with slices of apple and “cheese.”
This recipe was big time success, and the VeganRella mozzarella is my new cheese alternative of choice. Sorry veggie slices, you’ve been replaced.
Beauty-full!
I’m posting this early, since I have to go to bed. I’m having sleep issues (again) and working 3 days in a row tomorrow. Time to pack my lunch and hit the sack.
Happy 4th of July weekend everyone…and Happy early Birthday K!
The burgers look great!! 🙂
I have Vegan Rella cheese in my refrigerator… it’s the orange one, so I guess it’s cheddar? I haven’t tried it, because I couldn’t find my grater. And by now it is WAY expired so I should just throw it out. What was I thinking, anyway … I don’t even like cheese!
Have a great weekend!!!
<3 <3
SO many things to say!
we were superfood bar twins today 🙂 …maybe we ate it at the SAME EXACT TIME. mine was eaten at aprox 12:30.
yes. i’m a creep
I’m sad for you that you had to celebrate the 4th early! I’ll like a firecracker in honor of you working!
Those burgers look phenom but look like an INSANE amount of work! work it girl! no wonder you were tired!
whereeee do you get jm podcasts?? i wanna listen!
happy holidays 🙂
p.s. let me know if you got my response back to you via email from your response on my last post about the storms..
Happy 4th to you! I’m working the weekend as well. Fun times.
PS– I’ll post about some raw soups soon. 😉
those veggie burgers look perfectly plump! i haven’t tried to make my own yet, but these look really good!
I thought those papaya spears were BACON!!!!!! The burgers look great- I get my arm workouts from spaghetti squash…cheaper than a gm membership (just 😛 )
happy happy 4th! Is it true that because the 4th is a Saturday it’s not being considered a holiday and people got paid overtime on the 3rd instead? That’s kinda lame, if so! Grrrrr. Though maybe I dreamt that and am getting all haught up on people’s behalf for no real reason. I should go back to sleep…
As everyone has said, those burgers look great (despite the addition of sprouts, the appearance of which I discuss in a recent post).
But I do have one MAJOR concern and I have to admit that it has me a bit worried… this whole post contained NOT ONE picture or mention of hummus?
Have a great weekend 🙂
Ummm…where is the hummus?! Not a post without hummus! Blasphemy! Well, you still got the dried fruit in, so I guess I will forgive you 🙂 Those papaya spears look excellent!
Courtney
YUM to those burgers!! Now that I’m on the slow train to vegan town, maybe I’ll test out that cheese for myself?!
Ain’t nobody dope as me I’m just so fresh so clean (so fresh and so clean clean)! Thanks for the reviews!
I just scrolled up a little bit and saw Courtney’s comment – WHERE IS THE HUMMUS!? Are you feeling okay?! Don’t worry, I’ll pick up the slack in the hummus department 😉
Oh dang, that burger looks mouthwatering. I may have to go check out that cookbook from the lib.
Happy holiday!
What a cool recipe! Seems to have turned out beautifully.
I can’t stand how sexy those black bean burgers look! You’re killing me. We’re having a BBQ tonight and I’m really hoping someone remembered to pick up some veggie burgers, but my hopes aren’t so high… other than me, we’re a pretty carnivorous bunch!
http://www.kfiam640.com/pages/jillian.html that’s jillian’s page on the radio’s website. i download the podcasts directly to iTunes, but you can save them and listen to them via whatever program. oh and PS never got your email response (??)
What is the veganrella made of? Is it a soy product? It looks good; I wonder if it melts well Great looking burgers. Wish I’d had them for the 4th!
the ingredients listed are: filtered water, tapioca starch, brown rice flour, organic canola oil (non-hydrogenated expeller pressed), salt, xantham gum, carob bean gum, guar gum, carrageenan, oat flour and annatto.
lactose free is all i know, but i think it may be soy-free too?
hope that helps!
toss it and buy again! although i havent tried the cheddar yet, but im optimistic, bc the mozz is THAT good. but as i said, take my review with a grain of salt, im out of practice in the fine cheese tasting. although if you dont even like cheese…
yeah, i think for vegetarians its BYOB or your stuck with random side dishes at BBQs. the black bean/quinoa recipe was a great success but i dont think it wouldve worked on the grill. too delicate. the oven makes the apt hot but its still the best way to cook things
awwww sh!!!T K is SO on the way to vegan-town! hahaha, i know a convert when i see one, and YOU my dear are a closet vegan waiting to be freed 🙂
hahaha, ummm, i love that you noticed that. HI-LAR-IOUS! no worries. a slight over sight, nothing more!
dude. dont get me started!! i think thats the case, which totally blows. i worked the 4,5,6th, and the people who worked the 3rd get all the extra cash flow! say it aint so!
e –
i want that recipe. is it on the blog? i couldnt find it…am i special needs (non pc??) or what? send it to me! LOOKS DELISH
I could just kill my husband for this. SO many lost posts! Ah!
I am dying to try alba products. Let us know how you like that cleanser after you use it for a couple weeks! (Oh, wait, it HAS been nearly that long since this was posted!)
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What temp and how long did you cook the black bean/quinoa burgers? They look delish! Thanks!
hi ashley. i wish i remembered. 🙁
this post is so old, i have no idea why i didnt write that stuff down back when i first started blogging. sorry!