Smell the Coffee!

Coffee is a staple in the American household. I love the morning cup of coffee, the afternoon pick-me-up coffee, and in the summer, the iced coffee. Then we invite coffee further into our kitchens with coffee ice cream, coffee liquor, and coffee grounds in desserts. I make a fantastic Irish Cream tart using espresso grounds, but that is for another post. Today I would like to share with you another use for coffee I have discovered: as an air freshener!!

The coffee beans invigorate in the morning, smell fantastic, and absorb and replace odors. It is a natural air freshener that also looks neat. I simply put coffee beans inside a mini strainer. The holes in the strainer allow for air circulation. This is also a great place to store rings (on top of beans) or even eyeglasses!


         

Spinach and White Bean Tortellini

Ingredients

9 ounce package refrigerated cheese-filled spinach tortellini

15 ounce can cannellini (white kidney) beans, rinsed and drained

crumbled garlic-and-herb-flavored feta cheese (to taste)

2 tablespoons olive oil

a chopped tomato

baby spinach

Spices: Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, ground black pepper, pinch of cilantro, dill, parsley, onion powder, and an ample amount of garlic powder

Process

First, boil a pot of water and cook tortellini as directed on package. Strain and return to pot. Add spices to taste. Next, rinse and drain the can of kidney beans and add beans, feta cheese and olive oil to the pot. You will want to be sure to combine by stirring. Cook over medium heat until the beans are hot and the cheese begins to melt, gently stirring occasionally. This is a good time to cut the tomato, while everything is cooking. Add the tomato and cook for one additional minute.

Serve on top of a bed of spinach. 

This should make four servings. It is a simple, quick and tasty meal that requires little effort or planning. It is also fantastic when served cold the next day as a pasta salad. (This made for a delicious lunch at work.)

Carrot Cake Muffins

Carrot cake is a fantastic summer and fall treat. Cakes can be tedious and time-consuming, but muffins are more of an instant gratification, and more portable and versatile (even treats for breakfast)! I made these cream-cheese filled muffins for a few brunches and parties and they were a big hit among adults and children alike!

Ingredients

• one 8-ounce package cream cheese 
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• a few drops of vanilla

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup grated carrots

Process

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease muffin cups. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a medium bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, water, and oil. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Fold in the grated carrots. Add about a spoonful of batter into each muffin cup, then make filling.

To make the filling, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a small bowl.  

Going back to the muffin pan, add a spoonful of filling to each muffin cup, then continue to fill with batter. Each muffin cup should be filled to about 1/4" to the top of each cup. Bake for about 20 minutes, inserting a toothpick inside (if it comes out clean it is done).

Black Bean Burgers

I think we have finally perfected our black bean burger recipe enough to showcase it here on our website. This is a versatile veggie burger that is not lentil or rice-based and has an amazing texture! You can grill it (put on foil and spray with oil), bake it, or fry it!

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 1/2 onion, cut into wedges
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 pinch of sea salt
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 cup bread crumbs

Process

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and lightly oil a baking sheet. Cut up vegetables in chunks and put in food processor. Chop (pulse) a few times, then add black beans. Chop (pulse) until finely chopped.

In a small bowl stir together the egg, spices and chili sauce.

Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in the bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. It should have the consistency of ground beef- if not, add more bread crumbs. Form 4 patties and place on baking sheet.

Bake for about 10 minutes on each side.

Top with your favorite burger toppings and serve and enjoy! Even your meat-lover friends will enjoy this burger!

Inexpensive Fancy Mac n Cheese

This meal was created on one of those nights when we looked in the pantry to see what we already have for food before heading to the grocery store to replenish supplies. I am a big lover of egg noodles because they really are so versatile- and this recipe proves it again!

Ingredients

Egg noodles

Bag of Frozen peas (or fresh from the garden)

Velveeta cheese

1/2 c. of milk

Spices: Garlic, Dill, Parsley

Process

Boil water. If the peas are fresh, then add peas and noodles to water once boiling. If peas are frozen, give them a few minutes head start before adding the noodles. Follow the directions on the package of egg noodles for cooking duration. Drain noodles, then return to pot. Add cheese, milk, and spices; stir.

Serve with parsley on top for a pretty plate.

What to Grill Part II: Veggie Burgers

I was asked to recommend a veggie burger that is meant for grilling. I tried a few different brands from my local markets, and I have a favorite on the grill:

Franklin Farms Fresh Veggie Burger is available in the refrigerated produce section of most grocery stores. I purchased mine at Hannaford's. It is reasonably priced at about $4 and comes with 4 patties. 

It doesn't fall apart on the grill, or just blister and burn like some patties will. 

I did learn a few tricks to grilling veggie burgers:

First, when choosing a veggie burger for the grill- do not go frozen. In this case, Fresh is Best!

Second, read the packaging. If there are no directions for grilling- then it does not belong on the grill.

Most important, generously spray cooking oil on both sides of the patty. This is a great trick for cooking veggie dogs or "sausages" on the grill as well. I would say the oil is the secret ingredient to grilling soy protein products. 

What to Grill: Pineapple rings

This is part I of a series entitled What to Grill? This is a common question most vegetarians face. Sure, you can go the veggie burger route, but what about if you are hosting the cook out? Do you really want to cook meat for your friends, or is this a way to satisfy everyone?

The answer is... you can satisfy and wow in a cost-effective, easy manner. So my husband and I have set out on this journey to find out ways to impress on the grill.

Part I: Pineapple Rings


You will need:

a fresh pineapple
sugar
apple pie spice (or just plain cinnamon)


Process:

Cut the pineapple into rings.
Put the rings in a bowl, and coat with sugar and spice.
Be sure to coat entire ring.
Then place on grill- flip halfway through.
Grill for a few minutes- when it smells delicious- it is done!
Serve with vanilla ice cream or by itself!