Tuesday 7 April 2015

Blossoms, Black Beans and Easter Bunnies












I hope you all had a good weekend, and for those in the U.K. a long Bank Holiday weekend that actually included sunshine for a change.  I would first like to thank you all for your comments on my last post, wise words of advice from you all which are much appreciated.  Looking back I remember feeling the same about our last home.  I was very emotional over leaving, I wanted to take the door frame where I had marked the childrens' height on their birthdays.  I couldn't even drive past for years because I didn't want to see the changes to it.  Yes I am a soppy old thing.

On my week off I had a wonderful trip to London, followed by a week of decorating which has left me with a bad knee which I twisted  going up and down the ladder.  Topped off by a weekend with family including the three grandchildren.  Oh and you remember I 'glutened' myself with bourbon while away?  This week while chatting to a friend on the phone I picked up and ate the full of gluten hot cross bun instead of the gluten free ones I had bought.  I must be having 'senior' moments!


Our weekend was spent searching for trolls in the woods, crabs in the rock pools and Easter bunnies










It was our youngest grandchilds' first trip to the beach, as you can see he was very excited.  He actually slept the whole time!







Although I could do with another week off to get over the last one, I returned to work today and of course missed the glorious weather.  It at last feels less like winter and my cherry tree is out in all it's showy best.  Sadly the pink one hasn't flowered much for years.  Anyway, being back to the usual routine means rushing to get something on the table when I get home so it was a store cupboard  quick and simple meal this evening.  Made up as I went along of course but here's what I did




BLACK BEAN BURGERS


Whizz one red onion in the food processor until finely chopped.

Add 1 tin/carton of black beans, drained.

1 - 2 tablespoons of sweet chilli sauce

Buckwheat flour, enough to make the mixture bind together.

Whizz again until mixed together.

Form into burgers and fry gently until crispy on the outside and heated through.  Serve with lots of lovely salad and tomatoes in a gluten free burger bun with ketchup of course.

I try to use as many legumes as possible as they are a good source of protein for vegetarians.  Black beans are also a good source of folic acid, magnesium, potassium and iron and are said to be good for your digestive system.  A very quick, simple and healthy after work supper.



Chickpea xx

35 comments:

  1. Your burgers look and sound delicious!!!! I am glad you had a good Easter! xx

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  2. Your Easter pictures look like you had a fantastic time with family. We were so lucky with the weather this weekend. Will have to try making your burger they look so nice.
    Rosezeeta.

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  3. Hasn't it been wonderful to see the blue skies - it makes me feel so much better. Wishing you a great week.
    x

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  4. Good for you doing an easter bunny hunt. I had ocado look for lindor bunnies for family members. It saved all that rummaging amongst branches.

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  5. It looks like you had a wonderful Easter. It's nice to see the children enjoying their egg hunt. I love black bean burgers and your recipe looks delicious! Hope you're having a good week.

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  6. That black bean burger recipe sounds really good but the photo of the Cadbury Easter bunny and the photo of the sweet baby, they both made me smile. xx

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  7. Wonderful family photos, and just look at the blue sky. I am definately
    going to try your bean burgers.

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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    Replies
    1. A blue sky always makes me feel happy :)

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  8. So lovely to see the little ones enjoying the beach. I always think they are magical places. And that blue sky against the blossom is gorgeous. I didn't organise an egg hunt this year as our three are now enormous teens, and was soundly told off for it! I am off to the shops this morning to remedy my mistake before mutiny breaks out here entirely!

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    1. Ha ha your never too old for egg hunts :)

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  9. The burgers sound delicious! What a wonderful trip 'hunting for trolls in the woods'!

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  10. I looks like you have a wonderful Easter weekend! I enjoyed seeing the photos of your family enjoying the beach. x

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  11. You have been busy! Your pictures are lovely, and it looks like you had a wonderful easter with your family. Thanks for the black bean burger recipe. Did you make your gluten free buns?

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    1. No I didn't make the buns Kristie, they are nice for bought ones though :)

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  12. Lovely happy photos of your grandchildren having fun on the beach and the blossom looks beautiful - shame blossom doesn't stay on the trees for longer but hopefully its a good sign of what's to come later! The burgers look great, will have to give them a go!

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    1. They have lasted longer than most years, usually we have a strong wind a few days after they blossom :)

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  13. That gorgeous blossom against the blue sky just screams spring doesn't it?! I am waiting for my white blossom to come out on my plum tree, patience is not a virtue with me! Thanks for the recipe for the burgers, I am trying to eat more vegetarian food to be a little more healthy so will try these xx

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    1. I hope you like them, I just made up the recipe as I went along :)

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  14. gorgeous pics and the burgers sound yum.x

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  15. Son just sent me photos of the pink cherry blossoms on all the trees around his home in Osaka.
    The burgers sound so good.

    cheers, parsnip

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    Replies
    1. My friend was in Japan last year and said the blossoms were beautiful :)

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  16. The grandchildren are beautiful!

    This must be "bean burger" week- I just picked up a bunch of flat parsley at the store so I can make falafel. I use a 50/50 blend of fava beans and chickpeas, along with onions, garlic, parsley, and spices (always cumin, coriander, and pepper, occasionally fenugreek, paprika, or cayenne pepper). I soak the beans overnight, drain and grind them in the food processor. I add an onion and some garlic and grind them again, then add the parsley and spices and grind again. Form the mixture into small patties or balls and deep fry (I use a mix of vegetable oil and olive oil- the olive oil gives flavor, and the veg. oil a higher smoke point). You can griddle-fry or even bake them, but I'm a traditionalist.

    It's labor intensive and time consuming, but I usually end up with enough for a month.

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  17. What a lovely family time you've had, just the right weather for being outdoors too. Those Bean Burgers look amazing!

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  18. Looks like a fun day and the BB patties look yummy

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I love reading your comments and will try to reply to all you lovely people xx Spam will be deleted so don't even bother!