Juicy Burgers!

This time of the year, we are often low on Vitamin D. Mushrooms provide a small percentage of this important vitamin. It's also a good source of potassium. I didn't get time to make my own Worcestershire sauce but I hope to make it soon because I love it!

• 1/3 cup Olive Oil
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce (http://www.foodrenegade.com/homemade-worcesterschire-sauce/) 
• 2 tsp garlic
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 6 large portobello mushrooms
• 2-3 cups spinach or kale
• hamburger ingredients (I prefer Ezekial bread, mustard, tomato slices, pickles).

1. Mix the oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and pepper and pour over the mushrooms.  
2. Marinate for 1 to 3 hours.  
3. Grill for 4 to 6 minutes on each side.
4. Sautee the spinach with a bit of oil and garlic. 
5. Load your "burger" with your favorite toppings! My husband added a little bit of mozzarella cheese. 

Crock Pot Chili

Can you believe that I didn't use my crock pot for the first four years after we received it as a gift for our wedding? Now I use it at least once a week, if not more. Last night, while waiting for Steve to get home from the game in the bad weather, I decided to make the chili instead of waiting until the morning. I don't usually follow a recipe. I just use the ingredients I have on hand. I try to add as many vegetables that I can fit into my pot! Here is what I used last night:

Ingredients:

• 1 package of ground turkey
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1-2 Tbsp chili powder (http://www.food.com/recipe/chili-powder-16892)
• 3 bell peppers, 1 red, 1 orange, 1 green (I would have used more but that's all I had), chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 package of mushrooms, rinsed
• 3 cans diced tomatoes (no salt added) - use fresh if available!
• 3 cans beans (low sodium), 1 black bean, 1 kidney bean, 1 Black Eye Peas, rinsed
• 1 Tsp garlic powder

Directions:

1. Brown meat in heated oiled pan, add half of the onion and half of the chili powder. Drain.
2. Put all ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low for about 5 hours. 

I cook most of foods slightly bland because the kids eat it. Feel free to add more chili powder to your crockpot if you want more of a kick!

Mmmm Veggie Burgers!

I love veggie burgers. LOVE THEM. A few years ago Steve had training in Philly for a few weeks and I occasionally visited him. He took me to this restaurant in an alley that served the best veggie burgers. I have never been a fan of meat burgers but give me a veggie burger and I'll give it a try. I've tried a few different kinds and my family likes them all but this is the newest recipe and it was delicious! I based it off of http://www.momables.com/easy-black-bean-veggie-burger-recipe/.

Here are the ingredients I used:

• 2 cups of cooked low-sodium black beans (about 2 - 14.5 cans)
• 1 green pepper, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup of oat bran
• 3/4 large sweet onion
• 1 cup of shredded carrots, finely chopped
• 1 egg & 1 egg white
• 1 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/4 tsp chili powder (my own mix)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• 2 tsp of cilantro
• 1 cup of mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 Tbsp of olive oil

I followed the directions in the link above. It made 12 burgers. We topped them with onions, tomatoes, and mustard! Because I love veggies so much, we had a side of fresh steamed green beans. 

Let me know if you give this recipe a try!

Pork Chops w/ Mango Salsa

Sunday evening I made dinner for my parents and neighbor - totaling 7 people. People never ask me to cook for them. Not sure why... :)  Steve had requested pork chops and I agreed since the poor guy loves meat and I don't make it more than three times a week. Despite the long blog, it was very simple. Let me know if you give this a try!

Pork w/ Mango Salsa - I based it off of this recipe: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-pork-chops-with-two-melon-salsa-10000001995693/

Ingredients:

• 4-5 4oz pork chops - trimmed off excess fat
• Fresh mango salsa - I purchased it at Weis Markets
• 1 Tbsp Olive oil
• 2 Tsp Chili seasoning (ingredients below)
• 3/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/3 tsp salt
• 1/4 black pepper

Chili Seasoning: http://www.food.com/recipe/chili-powder-16892

• 2 Tbsp paprika
• 2 Tsp oregano
• 1 1/4 Tsp cumin
• 1 1/4 Tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/4 Tsp cayenne pepper
• 3/4 Tsp onion powder

Directions for Pork Chops:

1. Mix seasonings together and set aside. 
2. Heat pan with oil.
3. Rub seasonings on meat.
4. Add pork to pan and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side. 
5. Serve with salsa

Sides:

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 5-6 red potatoes, sliced
• 2 Tbsp Olive oil
• 1-2 Tsp of Seasoned Salt

Directions for Cauliflower & potatoes:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Grease bottom of two dishes with oil. 
3. Layer potatoes in one dish sprinkling a bit of seasoned salt between each layer. Spray with oil after last layer.
4. Spread cauliflower in other pan. Spray with oil and sprinkle with seasoned salt. 
5. Cook potatoes for about 40-50 minutes
6. Cook cauliflower for 30 minutes. 

I also provided pork chops without the spice and used Balsamic Vinegar as it was cooking. 

• Place chops in heated pan with oil. Add about 1-2 Tbsp of balsamic vinegar. Cover with lid. Cook on each side for about 3-4 minutes.