27 April 2011

What's on your plate? {V!}

V is for Veggies! dontcha know (said in my very best Fargo accent)

Of course I would pick VEGGIES for this post. One: I love them and Two: they are uber healthy for the most part.

There are lots of ideas listed below. Pick one or pick them all, my guess is you win either way!

Veggie Burgers (seriously, try this recipe. Yes, even you meat lovers like me.)
All you'll need:
1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
1 cup water

2 (16 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 green bell pepper, halved and seeded
1 onion, quartered
6 cloves garlic, peeled of course ->or more if desired. :o)
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 eggs
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs, or as needed

All you'll do:
Bring the brown rice and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, 45 to 50 minutes.

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat. Lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. Mash black beans in a large bowl with a fork until thick and pasty; set aside.

Place the bell pepper, onion and garlic in the bowl of a food processor, and chop finely. Stir the bell pepper mixture into the mashed black beans. Place the brown rice and mozzarella cheese in the food processor, and process until combined. Stir the mixture into the black beans.

Whisk together the eggs, chili powder, cumin, garlic salt, and hot sauce. Stir the egg mixture into the black bean mixture. Stir in the bread crumbs, adding additional bread crumbs as needed until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide into 6 large patties.

Place patties onto the prepared foil, and grill until browned and heated through, about 8 minutes per side.

YUMMA!

Roasted Veggies (A favorite of mine)
All you'll need:
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 large zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced -> Or more :o)
*Add more veggies if you'd like*

All you'll do:
In a mixing bowl, combine the potatoes, carrots, zucchini and red pepper. Combine the remaining ingredients; drizzle over vegetables. Stir to coat.

Transfer to an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until tender.

That's it! So whippy-snappy.

Veggie Dip
All you'll need:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
3 teaspoons tarragon vinegar
1 teaspoon grated onion
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish

All you'll do:
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix together, cover and chill overnight.

Done! Yup, easy breezy. Oh and DELISH!

For the little chit-lins (kids)
Veggie Pizza!
All you'll need:
2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
1 cup sour cream
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
1/2 cup halved and thinly-sliced radishes
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 1/2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
1 carrot, grated

All you'll do:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a jellyroll pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Pat crescent roll dough into a jellyroll pan. Let stand 5 minutes. Pierce with fork.

Bake for 10 minutes, let cool.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine sour cream, cream cheese, dill weed, garlic salt and ranch dip mix. Spread this mixture on top of the cooled crust. Arrange the onion, carrot, celery, broccoli, radish, bell pepper and broccoli on top of the creamed mixture. Cover and let chill. Once chilled, cut it into squares and serve.

*Remember to let the kids help as much as possible.  They'll have fun with this!*

Peanut Butter and Celery A favorite of Daughter. 
All you do is fill the celery with peanut butter and let them grub. Sprinkle raisins on top if desired.

Cucumber Slices
Another favorite of Daughter's. She can eat a whole cucmber in one sitting, then ask for more.

Have fun with these and remember, veggies are our friends. :O)