Recipe Week!

You know how the Discovery Channel has "Shark Week"? Well I'm declaring this Smells Like Fitness "Recipe Week." The reason? I hit the library last week and picked up this book:

Recipes are about to get crazy(er) in here! We're talking silken soy pumpkin pudding, chickpea feta casserole, tuna salad with cranberries...crazy.

The first thing I cooked from the book was "Wild about Venison Stew with Savory Mushrooms." Since I don't imagine most of you have a freezer full of venison backstrap I will forgo posting that recipe. Suffice it to say it was decent. Not sure I'll make it again, mostly because I am so puzzled by hominy. What is the point of puffy corn without the germ?

But last night's dinner was great, and as weird as it gets, to boot. It was "Quick Quinoa Burgers." Mmmm...I love a good meatless burger. I'm not even being facetious! 

They really were quick, and the dressing took these from really good to delicious. I think I'll be using the dressing to dress up my other favorite meatless burger recipes, too.

If you haven't tried veggie or bean burgers before, give them a chance! You can serve them on a bed of spinach or in a pita -- or just go ahead and serve them on a bun with all the regular burger fixings (but hold the mayo!). They're light, but filling, and make great leftovers, too. 

Quick Quinoa Burgers
Ingredients:
(Burger)

• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans
• 1/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
• 2 oz grated or crumbled cheese (or 1/4 cup nutritional yeast for a vegan option)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup cooked quinoa (cook 1/2 cup dry quinoa in 1 cup of water or chicken broth to get 1 cup cooked)
• 2 tbs olive oil

(Dressing)

• 1/2 cup prepared salsa

• 2 tbs low fat plain yogurt
• 1 tbs lime juice
• 1 tsp maple syrup or agave nectar
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp chili powder

Place the beans, oats, cheese and salt in a food processor in that order and pulse until combined and holding together but still chunky, about ten quick pulses.

Turn the bean mixture out into a medium bowl, add the quinoa, and mix, with your hands just until it holds together well.

Heat the oil on a large, nonstick skillet over medium heat (or just below medium in a regular skillet to prevent sticking), and form the quinoa mixture into four patties.

Place the burgers in the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side in until heated through.  Patties will be soft, so handle gently.

While the burgers are cooking, place the salsa, yogurt, lime juice, syrup, cumin, and chili powder into a blender (or a small bowl, and use an immersion blender) and blend until smooth.  Serve burgers with a generous helping of the dressing.

(Note: I grilled the burgers and they turned out just fine. Well, all except the one that got kind of burned, but that's not the burger's fault.)

Enjoy these!

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Workout of the Day

Insanity Intervals

Shaun T will be in Dallas in just 2 1/2 weeks! 

 

If you want to go, you need to sign up immediately. Like, today. Like, right now. Registration has already closed once, then they found a bigger room and are able to let more people come. But I bet it will sell out again! Visit this site to reserve your FREE spot to work out with Shaun T. It will be a sweat-fest, guaranteed!

http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=996154