Black Bean Nacho Burgers

Follow me on Pinterest!

So this meal would be great for meatless Monday, as it was soooooooo delicious!!  I got the original recipe from the Fitness Magazine website.
Just as a heads up, there was a step on this recipe that I thought was something I could skip and I will tell you, make sure you do it!  So, first thing's first: I took a 15 ounce can of black beans, drained and rinsed, and added it to my food processor and blended it just slightly, to blend some but leave others whole.  Then I removed the mixture to a bowl, added 1/2 cup crushed blue tortilla chips, 1/3 cup salsa, 1/2 shredded cheddar cheese (we used the Lactose Free GO Veggie! brand for our youngest who has the dairy allergy), 1 egg (make sure it's lightly beaten beforehand), as well as one green onion, finely chopped, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.  I let it sit for 10 minutes before making 4 patties.
Now HERE is where I messed up!  By the time I had started making dinner, it was after work and later in the evening, so when it told me to put the patties in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, or preferable overnight, I said no way, Jose!!  I didn't have time to wait, so I believe I only let it sit in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap, for about 15 minutes or so.  Make sure, if you choose to make this meal, to leave it for 30 minutes, or definitely overnight!  The reason being is that upon cooking the patties they basically fell apart.  The time it takes in the refrigerator will more than likely assist in the keeping the patties together when cooking, so DOOOOOOO ITTTTTTT!!!
Anyway, while the patties were in the fridge, I started to preheat my oven to 350 degrees and then heat 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil on a non-stick skillet.  I added the patties and allowed them to cook, about 5 minutes per side.  Also, while those were cooking, I put four hamburger buns onto a baking sheet and let them warm in the oven, about 5 minutes, and then removed them.
Now, like I mentioned, the patties started to fall apart, but I was still able to save them enough to make them somewhat visually appealing!  :)  When It was done cooking, I put a butter lettuce leaf on each bun, put the patties on top, and then topped each with a little bit more salsa and voila!!  Dinner was served!
I did make this meal quite a while ago, so I don't exactly remember what I served on the sides, but I believe it was my homemade chips and some extra salsa.  Either way, the burgers themselves were only 342 calories and $2.13/serving!  Yay!
Here's the recipe!!

1 - 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup finely crushed blue corn tortilla chips
1/3 cup salsa plus additional for serving
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 green onion, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 hamburger buns
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
4 butter lettuce leaves

Happy cooking everyone!!

Cajun Pot Roast with Sweet Peppers

Follow me on Pinterest!

More and more and MORE events!  I swear, they tell me every year that it's the same amount of days but it feels like I get less each time!
So this meal I made quite a long time ago and was very easy because it was a slow cooker meal!  It was quick and delicious!  I got the original recipe from the Better Homes and Garden website.
So first thing's first: I trimmed a 2 1/2 pound boneless beef chuck pot roast of fat and then rubbed 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning over it and placed it into my slow cooker.  Then I added 1/2 teaspoon of hot pepper sauce (I used Tapatio), 1/8 of ground black pepper, as well as a 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes.
From there, I covered the roast and let it cook on low for about 10 hours while I dropped off the kids at school and went to work!  When I came home, I cut  a green, red and yellow pepper into strips and then put them into the slow cooker for another half hour.
When it was done, I took the meat out to a cutting board, sliced it and then served it with the veggies.  Make sure to drain the liquid beforehand and voila!  Dinner was served!  Such a yummy meal and so simple!
It was an eight serving meal that was only 174 calories per serving!!  So everyone actually had two servings and still stayed under the 500 calorie intake!  t was also only $1.43/serving!  Woo!
Here's the recipe!

2 1/2 pound boneless beef chuck pot roast
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
14.5 ounce can  diced tomatoes, undrained
1 medium green, red and yellow sweet pepper, cut into strips

Happy cooking everyone!!