What am I going to make for dinner?

Imagine everyday having to think about what you are going to make for dinner? Oh wait, that is actually REALITY! Thinking of new or different things to make for dinner is challenging and sometimes just plain exhausting! I get tired of making the same sort of food all the time. The problem is I am often rushing! Sound familiar? It is so much faster to whip up an old faithful recipe than to try something new.

Weekends seem to be tricky for us because we are often working outside trying to get caught up on things that we have not had time for during the week. There are always jobs to be done like fixing broken fences that the horses have kicked out, working in one of the gardens or just doing stuff that has to get done on the farm. By the time dinner rolls around I am hot, tired and sure don't feel like creating some spectacular meal! I get to a point that I am not even hungry. Believe me, we have those nights where it is cereal and toast for dinner!

Recently, we have tried to eat a little less meat in our house. I have been playing around with some of our favourite recipes to make an alternative option. Some have been quite successful and others ... not so much. I am still working on modifying my Grandma's Sweet and Sour Meatball recipe. It is a work in progress! I will share it once I have it to my liking.

Summer is all about barbecuing! One of our favourite things to have on the barbecue is barbecued hamburgers. I have always made my own hamburger patties. I am not a fan of frozen burgers.

Keeping on that theme I thought I would try a plant based/vegan style burger. I have tried vegetarian burgers in restaurants but I honestly have not found one I love. So, I thought I would give it a try and make my own! I made these patties to match the flavours in my homemade burgers and they turned out great!

There is nothing more delicious than a homemade barbecued hamburger! Recently, I have decided to try and add more plant based recipes to my diet. I wanted to try and come up with a recipe that was as close as possible to our Homemade Barbecued Beef Hamburgers. Finding something that is similar to a beef mixture is a bit tough. This one was a hit!

Step 1:

1 can (14 oz) black beans - drain, rinse and pat dry with a paper towel

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread black beans on a cookie sheet. Don't forget to pat dry the beans with a paper towel. Bake for 14-15 minutes. The beans will appear dry and begin to split open.

Step 2:

1 teaspoon butter or olive oil

1/4 of a bell pepper - chopped finely - any colour is fine

1/4 of a medium sized onion - chopped finely

1 clove garlic - minced

Next add butter or oil to a small frying pan. Add chopped pepper, onion, and garlic. Cook for 3-5 minutes. Place in a food processor or blender. Set aside.

Step 3:

Once the black beans are ready, add the black beans and remaining ingredients (listed below) to the blender. Mix/pulse slightly. You want this mixture to still appear 'chunky'.

Add the following ingredients to the blender:

Pinch of chili powder

Pinch of red pepper flakes

1 egg

1/4 cup of bread crumbs

1/4 cup feta cheese

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon of celery salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon barbecue sauce ... or a bit more

1 tablespoon HP Steak Sauce ... or a bit more

Dash of Worcestershire Sauce

Tip: I use whatever barbecue sauce I have on hand. I honestly never measure!

Step 4:

Using a 1/3 measuring cup, scoop out the mixture and form into patties. Set aside on a plate.

Place a piece of aluminum foil on your grill. Once grill is heated, place patties directly on the foil. Barbecue your patties on low to medium heat for approximately 8 minutes on each side. Only turn the patties once. Once ready, add your favourite toppings just like it was a regular beef burger! These patties can be reheated the following day as well. Enjoy!

If plant based/vegan style burgers are not your thing check out this link to my website for my Homemade Hamburger Patties https://jmcfamilyfarm.wixsite.com/canada/homemade-hamburger-patties

This way you will be able to please everyone at your next family gathering!

(This makes 4 patties)

*This vegetarian recipe was inspired by Sally's Baking Addiction.

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