Baby Bella burgers

I know, I know... It's been soooooo long since my last post, but in my defense I was working way too much and battling some very chronic bronchitis. Plus no one reads this blog. Anywhoooo.... I've been hunting for the perfect burger as a vegan for about two years now. And I've found it. Mind you, it's not the closest in taste or texture but it has the most delicious flavors of any vegan burger I have had yet to try. They can be a little tricky to stay in patty form but its so worth it. I usually just eat these wrapped in some lettuce and topped with a little sliced avocado.

1/3 c bread crumbs
8 oz cremini our baby bella mushrooms
12oz brown rice
1 tsp paprika
1tsp onion powder
1tsp garlic powder
1/3 c vital wheat gluten
2 tbsp Braggs Liquid Aminos
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp bbq sauce
Pepper

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Preheat oven to 450 

Grind mushrooms in food processor
Stir in remaining ingredients and mash until wheat gluten becomes stringy, binding the mix together.

Shape into patties and lightly spray each patty with cooking spray,

bake for 7-10 minutes, or pan fry for about 3 minutes on each side over medium heat with a little cooking spray.

Cheesy Vegan Nachos

So with the Superbowl happening the other day, I was of course invited to parties....I don't like sports, and I don't care about football....but I do love a chance to spend time with my friends, so I created these awesome little individual nacho bites to take with me...they were a hit! most people that went back for seconds and thirds weren't even vegan. this is a spin on a recipe I saw posted from Wildflower food truck in NYC....but of course, you know me, I had to add my own flair....

1 bag Tostitos Scoops
1 can black beans
1 1/2 c Trader Joe's fire roasted corn
Lettuce of your choice (I used romaine because its so leafy)

1 recipe for cheesy sauce ( I cheated this time and bought it from the store, Wayfare Mexicheddar Cheese Sauce...sooooo good!!!)

Quinoa filling
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp dry sage
1 Tbsp dry thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon red pepper
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
2 cups cooked quinoa
2 Tbsp Soy sauce

For the quinoa mixture, in a large skillet over medium high heat, heat oil until hot. Add onion, garlic, sage, thyme, oregano, red pepper, chili powder, and cumin and mix well. saute for 3-5 minutes. Add quinoa, soy sauce, black beans, corn and mix well. Reduce heat to medium low and cook for 5-7 minutes, add salt to taste.
To prepare nacho bites:

I placed a small leaf of lettuce into the bottom of each scoop.... for multiple reasons. It looks cute, its easier to eat, and it kept the chips from getting soggy from the quinoa and cheese mixtures. After the lettuce, fill each scoop with a spoonful of the quinoa mixture and top with cheesy sauce.

Super easy tasty waffles

I was really craving some waffles the other day so I scoured the Internet....all I found were really involved recipes using flax seeds and half whole wheat flour with mashed bananas and applesauce and ground nuts.....what? I just want an unhealthy white fluffy waffle smothered in maple syrup....so this is what I came up with, and they came out super yum!!!

1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
berries, to taste, optional
chocolate chips, to taste, optional
1 cup nondairy milk (I use almond)
Substitute for two eggs (used ener-g egg replacer)
1tsp oil

1. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl with berries or chocolate chips, if using. Mix the wet ingredients in a different bowl. Combine and mix until just mixed up.

2. Preheat waffle iron and spray with some nonstick spray

3. Cook according to the waffle maker's instructions

4. Top wit your fav waffle topping, i used maple syrup this time, but some other favorites are vegan whip cream, some powdered sugar and strawberries for a really decadent breakfast!

Serves: 2-3, Preparation time: 5 + waffle iron time