Quinoa Veggie Bean Burgers w. Goat Cheese

Quinoa Veggie Bean Burgers w. Goat Cheese

These were delicious! I must admit, I was a little nervous to try my hand at veggie burgers.  However, I knew the frozen ones couldn't be all that good for me. These are simple, easy, and full of nutritious & delicious veggies. Try em' out! You'll kick that frozen burger to the curb in no time.

My recipe uses pinto beans--mainly because that's what I had in my kitchen! Feel free to sub in black beans, if that's what you like! However, pinto beans are a micronutrient powerhouse. Beans are rich in folate (helps to form red blood cells), iron, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese & selenium. These nutrients are important, as they help maintain proper function of the immunue, cardiovascular, skeletal & nervous systems; regulating blood pressure; aiding in energy metabolism; and activating enzymes throughout the body.  Pinto beans (like most beans) are also a good source of protein and fiber.

Mushrooms are an excellent source of of potassium, which helps to lower blood pressure and reduces risk of stroke. One serving of mushrooms also provides a substantial amount of copper, a mineral that has cardiovascular protective qualities.  Additionally, mushrooms are a good source of riboflavin, niacin, and selenium.

Alright, let's start cookin', and more importantly, eating!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa

1 tsp sesame oil

1 T of white truffle oil (or olive oil)

1/2 cup of corn

15 oz pinto beans (dried & cooked OR if using canned, be sure to drain and rinse them!)

1/2 cup of panko bread crumbs (and more as needed)

6 baby bella mushrooms, finely chopped

1 onion

generous handful of baby spinach, finely chopped

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tsp cayenne (omit or add more according to your tastes)

2 tsp low sodium soy sauce

1 1/2 tsp ground ginger

6 oz goat cheese (I used Silver Goat )

Light wheat hamburger buns or sandwich thins (used Kroger brand)

additional burger fixins

Method

Preheat oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil & lightly grease with cooking spray.

Cook quinoa according to package instructions.

Pour beans into a large bowl (and yes, I do own other bowls. I just like pink!). Take a fork and smash the beans to break them down as much as possible. If you want to dirty up another dish, you can use a food processor!

Chop up all veggies (or use a food processor). Add while truffle oil and soy sauce into a skillet. Saute veggies until cooked, but not mushy.  Add to bowl with beans and mix.

Add garlic and all spices. Fold in quinoa and the panko. Drizzle in the sesame oil.  Mix. If mixture is a little too wet, add in a little more panko.

Form into 6 patties.  Bake for 20 minutes. Give additional time if needed. 

Place on buns/sandwich thins. Top with goat cheese and you favorite toppings. This is really good w/ spicy brown mustard :)

Enjoy!

Serves 6.  If you aren't feeding 6 people, just stick em' in the freezer!

Other information

WW 10pt+ (includes cheese & bun)

without bun WW 8pt+

without cheese, with bun WW 8 pt+

with cheese, without bun WW 8 pt+

without bun or cheese, WW 6 pt+

Legal

pinto bean health benefits

mushroom health benefits

Burger based on Bake Your Day Quinoa Burgers and Glow Green Girl's Healthy Quinoa Mushroom Burgers

All photos are mine, so don't be a thief.



It's All Greek to Me Chicken Burger

Greek Lemon-Feta Chicken Burger

Greece is one of my favorite places on the planet.  I love all things Greek-- Food. Dancing. Culture. Movies. It's all good in my book.  This little burger adds all of the fun flavors found in Greek cuisine...lots of citris, oregano, and of course FETA CHEESE!

Lemons are good for you....so pucker up! No, just kidding...

On a serious note, here's some cool facts about lemons:

1) They fight infection (they help produce white blood cells and antibodies)

2) Studies show that they act as an anti-carcinogenic, lowering rates of colon, prostate, & breast cancer

3) Makes your skin glow!

4) Lowers blood presure & increases levels of HDL (good cholesterol)

Ingredients:
1/4 lbs ground, extra lean chicken breast
juice of 1/2 lemon
zest of 1/2 lemon
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp italian seasoning
garlic (about 1 clove, minced)
pepper (and salt, if desired)
1 1/2 T reduced fat feta cheese
1 light wheat bun
1 tsp olive oil
canola cooking spray, aluminum foil
assorted fixins'

Method:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix chicken, lemon, lemon zest, spices, garlic together in a bowl.

Add olive oil & feta cheese.

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray with canola cooking spray. Place burger on baking sheet. 

Bake 25-30 minutes.  (You can grill these, if you wish!)

In the last few minutes of cooking, place bun on tray to lightly toast.

Assemble burger with all of your favorite fixins & enjoy!

Serves 1

WW information:
7pt+ (includes bun)

Base recipe All Recipes Greek Chicken Burger with Feta 

Buffalo Queso Chicken Burgers

yummo!

Lately I've been craving burgers...and hot wings. When a friend of mine mentioned that she made buffalo chicken burgers, I knew that she was on to something good.  I started to think about this concept, and I decided that it needed some ooey-gooey cheese. Yes, it needed queso inspired cheese, but not on the top. Instead, I wanted it inside so it didn't get all over my hands. I mean really, who likes getting the contents of their burger all over them? Not this girl. Here is my delicious little food creation

Note: this recipe uses queso quesadilla cheese. If you can't find "hispanic cheese"...whatever that really is...you can use asadero, cheddar, mozzarella, or even low fat blue cheese. Whatever makes you happy!

Buffalo Queso Chicken Burgers

Ingredients
1/4 lbs ground extra lean chicken breast
1 tsp salt free southwest chipotle seasoning (I used Mrs. Dash)
1 T buffalo wing sauce (I used Frank's RedHot Buffalo sauce)
1 1/2 T hispanic queso quesadilla cheese (I used Kroger brand)
1 lite wheat hamburger bun
any fixins' that makes your stomach giggle

Method
1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil, spray with canola cooking spray
3. In a mixing bowl, lightly toss ground chicken, southwest chipolte seasoning and wing sauce.
4. Take 2/3 of mixture and make a patty. Create a small dip in the center to hold the cheese.
5. Place queso quesadilla cheese in the middle.
6. With the remaining chicken mixture, create a small "top" to place over cheese. Seal edges so cheese doesn't escape!
7. Cook 30-35 minutes.
8. In the last 3-5 minutes, place bun on tray and warm through.
9. Assemble with any desired topings. I put some more wing sauce on the bun with baby spinach, onion, & alfalfa sprouts.

*You could grill these, if you want to. I just didn't want to pull mine out :)
Serves 1 --serve with spicy sweet potato fries & steamed broccoli (or other veg)

If you want to make more than just 1 serving, just double/triple/etc the recipe!

WW: 6p+ (includes bun)