White Bean, Chard & Sundried Tomato Veggie Burger

I'm starting to really enjoy making veggie burgers. The combinations are endless!! These burgers are quite delightful!!

Makes 4 burgers.

• 1 can white beans, rinsed (navy or white kidney)
• 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped rainbow chard (3 small leaves)
• 2 cloves of garlic, diced
• 1/4 red onion, diced (1/3 cup)
• 2/3 cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg white (optional)
• olive oil

Seasonings: Thyme, S&P 
Fixins: Manchego Cheese, Avocado ,Tomato, Ground Mustard

Preheat the oven to 425. In a small pan, saute the garlic and onion until they soften then add the chard. Saute for 2-3 minutes on med heat or until the chard is wilted then remove from burner.

In a food processor add the beans, sundried tomatoes &1 tbs of olive oil and pulse until the beans are mostly smooth(leave a few beans whole). Place mixture in a mixing bowl and add the chard mixture and season with a dash or two of thyme and S&P to taste. Taste the mixture before adding the egg to make sure you like it. 

Next add the egg and bread crumbs. Stir the mixture so everything is evenly coated. Shape the mixture into 4 burgers and place on non-stick baking pan. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes, flip the burgers and bake for another 5 minutes. 

Notes: 

• I enjoyed these without a bun with only the manchego cheese but throw the burger on a bun and add some of the yummy fixins listed above and it will be even more yummy! 
• If you are adding cheese add it before you take the burgers out of the oven so it melts nicely. 
• Vegan? Leave out the egg! It may not be as moist but still super yummy!

Whole Wheat Banana Bran Bread Muffins and Bread

Each year we visit my boyfriend's parents in Hawaii and for breakfast his mom always has a loaf of whole wheat banana bread ready to go. It is dense, tasty and packed with all kinds of goodness that will help you power through the day. Her recipe varies each time she makes it and I love it every time! On our last trip I just had to ask her for her recipe. I made a few tweaks to it because I wanted to make it my own and of course the bananas in Hawaii are much better than what we get in Tahoe but this version still turned out pretty delicious. You can use this batter to make muffins or slice as bread and my favorite served with freshly ground peanut butter. 

Ingredients

• 3 cups wheat flour
• 1 cup wheat bran
• 1/4 cup raw sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbs. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup plain non-fat yogurt
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 egg whites plus 2 eggs, beaten 
• 2 cups, very ripe mashed bananas

• 1 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts or macadamia nuts) 
• 1 cup raisins or cranberries (soak in water for 15 minutes)

Preheat oven to 325. In a large bowl combine the first 6 ingredients and stir. Next add the wet ingredients stir until evenly mixed using a mixer. Last add the nuts and raisins. Pour your batter into either bread pans or muffin pans and bake. Once the bread is ready let it cool before you serve.

Muffins: 20-25 minutes

Bread: 30-35 minutes

Notes:

This batter in the recipe will fill two small bread pans or one large bread pan and one six-muffin pan.  

Baking time will depend on your altitude, so your a tooth pick and check after 20 minutes.

Freeze half the bread once it is cooled and defrost when you are ready for it.