Meatless Mondays: Chickpea Nicoise Salad

This salad is an original recipe but obviously inspired by nicoise salads with meat in it. The salad was delicious, I barely missed having meat. Highly recommend this when you're in the mood for a light dinner. This recipe makes about 1 serving, simply double for 2 recipes.

Ingredients:
2 cups of romaine lettuce, rinsed and chopped
1 cup of baby spinach
1/4 onion sliced
1/2 tomato diced
2 eggs, hard boiled and peeled
1 cup green beans, washed and trimmed
2 tbsp Mrs. Dash seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup of canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup of gorgonzola cheese or blue cheese

Maple Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing:
1 tbsp of dijon mustard
1 tbsp of white wine vinegar
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp herbs de provence
salt and pepper to taste

1. Add two eggs to rolling boiling water. Cook for 10 minutes. Set aside in cold water for a few minutes to let the egg shrink away from the shell for easy peeling.
2. In another medium-large pot, add about 6 cups of water and Mrs. Dash seasoning (I used garlic and herb) and a heaping pinch of salt to the water.
3. Bring the seasoned water to a boil and add the green beans. Boil for 10 minutes or until slightly softened.
4. Begin preparing the salad by laying down the romaine and spinach on a plate.
5. Add sliced onions, 1/2 cup of rinsed and drained chickpeas, 1/4 cup of gorgonzola cheese, diced tomato, sliced and peeled hard boiled eggs, and )using a serving spoon with drain holes) add the green beans on to the bed of lettuce.
6. Prepare the dressing by combining all dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisking together until emulsified. If the dressing seems too thick add more vinegar, if its clumpy whisk more or add more mustard.
7. Spoon 2 tbsp of dressing over the salad and enjoy!

Meatless Mondays: Spicy Black Bean Burgers

These burgers turned out very good! They are very flavorful and stayed together!

This recipe was inspired by this recipe, but I did make it my own.
Whole Foods black bean burger recipe

Ingredients: (Makes 6 burgers)
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
2 large shallots, finely chopped
1 cup of rolled oats, uncooked
1 egg
1 tsp of garlic powder
1 tsp Mrs. Dash
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp of chili powder
Dash of hot sauce
1/2 cup of chunky salsa (add more if needed)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp olive oil
Slices of cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions:
1. Place rinsed and drained beans in a mixing bowl. Using a fork, mash the beans until they become somewhat of a paste.
2. Add the chopped shallots, egg, cup of rolled oats and mix well.
3. Add 1/2 cup of chunky salsa, hot sauce, garlic powder, Mrs. Dash seasoning, italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, chili powder, and salt and pepper to the bean mixture. Mix all ingredients together until well combined.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan until shimmering.
5. Form the black bean mixture into patties that are about 3-4 inches wide and 1 inch thick. (Think small hamburgers)
6. Place them in the shimmering oil and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes per side until nicely browned. If you would like to add cheese, place one slice on each burger two minutes before the burgers are done to melt.
7. Serve with whole grain buns or in lettuce wraps with ketchup, mustard, onions, tomato, and lettuce or whatever garnishes you like on your burgers. I served mine with sweet potato fries and salad. Enjoy!