BLACK BEAN TACOS

Yesterday I Made:

BLACK BEAN TACOS for DINNER.

This is a very simple recipe to have on a night when you don't have much time to cook or just don't feel like it cooking.

You will need:

-small corn tortillas

-canned organic black beans

-finely diced onion

-chopped cilantro

-Casa Sanchez Fresh Roasted Salsa (our favorite brand, available at Whole Foods in California) or salsa of your choice.

Rinse and drain black beans.

Transfer to a bowl and mash with a fork.

Warm in microwave until warm but not hot.

Warm tortillas in microwave for 30 seconds or until pliable (make sure not to overheat or else they will fall apart).

Now you are ready to assemble.

Place a small amount of beans onto each tortilla.

Add salsa and then sprinkle with onion and cilantro.

Now, you are ready to eat!

SPICY BLACK BEAN BURGERS

Yesterday I Made:

SPICY BLACK BEAN BURGERS for DINNER.

Recipe from The Vegan Table By Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.

Black beans, corn, red bell peppers, jalapenos, and onions formed into a patty and smothered with red salsa along with sliced avocado, red onion, romaine lettuce on a toasted whole wheat bun.

Instead of french fries, I made the famous KALE CHIPS with ketchup.

This is one of the BEST patties I've ever made!

Perfectly spicy and texture.

BANANA AND BLACK BEAN EMPANADAS

Today I Made:

BANANA AND BLACK BEAN EMPANADAS for DINNER.

Recipe from VEGETARIAN TIMES MARCH 2009 issue.

Whole wheat dough filled with black beans, onions, bananas, and spices.

Baked until golden brown.

Served with homemade GUACAMOLE.

Empanadas are the Latin-American version of calzones.

I've seen them stuffed with pumpkin, pineapple, and meat ( dead animal flesh ) of course.

This version was amazing.

The stuffing was both sweet from the bananas and spicy from the chili powder.

My only recommendation is to make a salsa or guacamole like I did.

Because the empanadas are little too dry on there own.

I'm definitely going to try making these again with different stuffings.

The possibilities are endless.

BBQ BLACK BEAN PATTIES, GUACAMOLE, AND PLANTAIN

Today I Made:

BLACK BEAN PATTIES WITH BBQ SAUCE, PLANTAINS, GUACAMOLE, AND BROWN RICE.

Patty and BBQ recipes from THE CANDLE CAFE COOKBOOK.

I'm noticing a pattern here.

I LOVE PATTIES!!!

On a bun or without, it really doesn't matter.

Oh, and I also LOVE plantains.

Just scroll down the page and you'll understand.

This patty is made with black beans, carrots, red bell peppers, yellow pepper, cornmeal, chickpea flour, cilantro, and spices.

It's moist, but crunchy because of all the vegetables.

It's totally worth making your own homemade vegan patties.

Forget the frozen stuff.

The BBQ sauce was so easy to make and so delicious.

Canned chipotles, hot water, garlic, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, molasses, mustard, and spices.

After making this recipe, I will never buy a store bought sauce.

The patty with the BBQ, a match made in heaven.

But wait, add some guacamole, and now you have one if the most amazing mix of flavors ever!

The plantains were especially made for my husband who loves them.

Round out the meal with some brown rice and BON APPETITE!!!

PIZZA WITH BLACK BEANS, AVOCADO, AND CILANTRO

Today I Made:

PIZZA WITH BLACK BEANS, AVOCADO, AND CILANTRO for DINNER.

Recipe from THE VEGAN GOURMET by SUSANN GEISKOPT-HADLER AND MINDY TOOMAY.

Black beans, olives, tomatoes, green chilies, and avocados on whole wheat pizza.

The dough was homemade, which I think came out a little too doughy and a little too thick.

Interesting ingredients for a pizza.

But they actually worked out.

It was pretty darn good.

BEANS, RICE, AND PLANTAINS

Today I Made:

SAUTEED PLANTAINS, VENEZUELAN BROWN RICE, AND SIMPLE BLACK AND PINTO BEANS for DINNER.

All recipes from the June 2008 issue of COOKING LIGHT MAGAZINE.

Creamy, melt in your mouth plantains sauteed in canola oil.

Brown rice flavored with red bell peppers, onions, and salt.

Black and pinto beans full of spices, and even more red bell peppers.

Such a simple and delicious dinner.