Let’s skip the formalities and get straight to the food talk (and tonight's dinner in particular) It was an absolutely phenomenal meal, thanks to three other bloggers and their amazing recipes! I have been dying to try two of the things for quite some time now, and I made them both tonight! This was like heaven times two!
I am quickly skipping through today’s breakfast and lunch, since they would be looming in the shadow of dinner. Simple pictures will do.
Breakfast: chia oats topped with oikos and a nectarine
Breakfast: chia oats topped with oikos and a nectarine
Lunch: huge bowl o’ veggies topped with hummus, mustard, and multigrain chips
Snack: Banana Bread larabar + Iced Green Tea sweetened with Stevia
And here is where this post gets foodgasm good. Quick, get a napkin to wipe your drool! ;)
Upon walking in the door after work, I immediately got started on Mama Pea’s Pumpkin Spice Latte. And this, my friends, makes heaven times three! It was a triple whammy to the tastebuds tonight!
I made a few tweaks based on what I had on hand:
· 1 c. strongly brewed Starbucks Natural Vanilla Infusions
· ½ c. unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
· Sugar-free Vanilla Syrup
· 3 T. canned pumpkin
· ½ t. cinnamon
· ¼ t. pumpkin pie spice
· ¼ t. ginger
· Stevia
This was better than Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts combined, hands down. Thanks Mama Pea for a new obsession!
Next, I got started on dinner. Like I said, I have been planning to make these two ever since I first set eyes on them!
Main Course: Vegan Black Bean Burgers
Brought to you by Emily from The Front Burner
I used almost the exact same recipe:
· 2 cans black beans (rinsed and drained)
· 10 baby carrots (grated)
· ¾ c. rolled oats
· 1 T. EVOO
· ½ t. cinnamon
· ½ t. cumin
· 1 t. chili powder
· ½ t. onion powder
· ¼ t. cayenne pepper
· 1 T. sea salt
· ¼ t. black pepper
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Next, add the oats and carrot to the food processor and grind on low setting until chopped. Add ¾ of the beans, all the spices, and the olive oil. Let the food processor whir until it’s all nicely mixed together (but still a little chunky). Move the mixture a large bowl. Fold in the rest of the whole beans. Wet your hand and form 6 patties. Wetting your hands is crucial step! If you don’t the mixture will stick to your hands and it will be difficult to form a patty. Place the patties on an EVOO mistoed baking pan and bake for about 50 minutes. Turn once halfway through. I also broiled them a few minutes for a little crispiness.
The verdict (as if you didn’t already know from their introduction): delicious!
Side: Nut Butter Crusted Fries
Brought to you by Angela at Oh She Glows
Again I used almost the exact same recipe except I doubled the almond butter and halved the peanut butter--nut butter preference came into play. ;)
· 3 medium sweet potatoes
· 2 T. Almond Butter
· 1 T. Peanut Butter
· 1 T. Olive Oil
· Sea Salt
Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into fry shapes. Mix the nut butters,
EVOO, and salt in a large bowl. Add the sweet potato fries and mix up with
your hands until they are all coated. MESSY! Spread onto a mistoed baking
sheet and cook for about 50 minutes! I also broiled these at the need to up
the crispy factor. I like em’ crispy!
Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into fry shapes. Mix the nut butters,
EVOO, and salt in a large bowl. Add the sweet potato fries and mix up with
your hands until they are all coated. MESSY! Spread onto a mistoed baking
sheet and cook for about 50 minutes! I also broiled these at the need to up
the crispy factor. I like em’ crispy!
Again, these totally did not disappoint. A great recipe, hands down!
All together now:
My son's (bun & topped with ketchup):
This plate, times two!
With all these cooking going on in my house, you can bet I have a mess to clean up! So I’m off to clean up and hopefully Turbo it up. If my body will listen and digest my food—then I can get in a work out!
Have a great night!
<3 Stefanie
Has anyone else tried any of these recipes that have been spreading around the blogosphere like wildfire?
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