Veggie Burger (AKA summer squash recipe #2)

I have so many of these.

SOOO many.  So when I saw this delicious veggie burger recipe from the edible perspective I knew I had to try to incorporate some summer squash into the mix.

I'm not sure if my burgers were as good as the original, but they were darn delicious and used up some squash.  :-D Also, well liked by certified squash haters.  Always a plus. 

Black beans!

Mashed with quinoa. 

Cookin' up some summer squash.

Delicious baked burger! Topped with the most amazing BBQ sauce from the St. Helena Olive Co.

Veggie Burgers with Summer Squash

adapted from Edible Perspective

Ingredients

-1can black beans (rinsed and drained)

-3C diced cooked potatoes, I used half sweet and half russet.  I also chose to roast the potatoes in order to up the flavor! 

-2 diced summer squashes

-1/2 onion, diced

-1C cooked quinoa--I cooked it in veggie broth, for more flavor

-1/4C flour (I used garbanzo flour)

-1t salt

-1t cumin

-1/2t garlic powder

-1/2t cayenne pepper

-1T olive oil

Method

1.  Prep by cooking the quinoa (I recommend using broth for more flavor) and cooking the potatoes.

2. Preheat oven to 375.  Dice the summer squash in a small dice, season with garlic powder, salt, pepper and cayenne and saute over medium high heat until cooked through and starting to caramelize, about five minutes. 

3. Smash the beans and the potatoes together until combined, but not fully pasty.  We want some chunks of spuds/beans for texture. 

4. Add all of the rest of the ingredients and mix until combined.  Check the seasoning and adjust to taste. Make sure the mixture is cool enough to handle (ouchie!) and shape into patties (about 8-10).  

5. Bake at 375 on a cookie sheet for 15 minutes, flip and cook 20 minutes longer until the top is nice and crispy.  

WIAW + Summer Squash Recipe #1

I am finally getting back into the WIAW swing of things after a couple of crazy weeks.  Unfortunately life is still super stressful so I haven't been cooking that much (AKA boring eats!).  I am really struggling with feeling creative and motivated in the kitchen which tends to lead to me eating much worse :-(.

However,  on the bright side, I am spending lots of time working on preparing for the class I'm going to teach this fall semester.  I love teaching, so even though it is really stressful preparing for something I haven't done before, it is exciting as well.  :-)  I've wanted to be a professor ever since I wanted to be anything so I'm super excited to finally have the opportunity to teach my own class at a University.

Ugh lets not even talk about the exercise.  I always seem to lose motivation there first.  How do y'all stay motivated to exercise/cook well when busy or stressed?  Help!

Anyways, here's my Tuesday food stuffs:

 

Oats, Almond Milk, Chia Seeds, Melted Peanut Butter, Maple Syrup

2 Shots espresso, Soy Milk, Vanilla, Ice! (Addicted?  I have no idea what you are talking about).  Totally unrelated note, does anyone have an recommendations for at home espresso machines? ;-)

Dark Red Sweet Cherries. 

Spinach, Lowfat Cheese, Onions, Boston Terrier*, Hot Sauce, Balsamic *no Boston Terriers were harmed in the making of this salad.

And finally, roasted summer squash.  I've been drowning in summer squash.  I get a bag or two a week from my CSA veggie box.  I'm going to try to document all of the ways I eat it because I'm sure I'm not the only one swimming in squash.  Even though this preparation is very simple I really enjoyed how buttery and flavorful it made the squash.  I drizzled it with balsamic, but I almost would have preferred it without to better enjoy the buttery flavor of the squash.  

Roasted Summer Squash
Ingredients (serves 2)

4 summer squashes
1tbs olive oil
1/4tsp salt
Pepper/Cayenne pepper to taste

Method
1. Preheat oven to 400F. Slice the squashes thinly and as evenly as possible.
2.  Toss the medallions with oil, salt, pepper and cayenne until evenly coated.  Spread in a single layer (very important!) on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
3.  Roast for 15-20 minutes (depending on the thickness of the slices).  Pay close attention towards the end of the cooking time and take them out when they start to brown on the edges.  They can go from brown edges to burnt super fast.  They are so very delicate!

Drizzle with nice olive oil or balsamic vinegar.  Mmmmm!