mushroom veggie burgers

Now - don't freak out!! These mushroom patties might not look appetizing in this picture - but they are SO good! See the finished product below! They are SO yummy!!

cashews+walnuts+almonds, chopped (about 1 cup total)
3-4 cups mushrooms, diced
1 med white onion
2 cloves garlic
1 cup rice, brown or white (cooked)
1 T soy sauce

Your choice of seasonings:
fresh cilantro, chopped
oregano
Italian seasoning
Worcestershire sauce
salt & pepper to taste
bread crumbs (if needed to hold things together)

In a large skillet, toast the nuts until slightly browned. Blend the toasted nuts until fine, and set aside. Dice the mushrooms & onions well, and saute in the same skillet until browned, and the water is cooked off. Blend the *mushrooms/onions in a large blender along with the garlic and any seasonings you choose (from above). Combine blended mixture with toasted nuts and rice in a large bowl. Combine well. Add bread crumbs until you can form nice patties without them falling apart. Grill in a skillet (or on your BBQ!!) until toasted brown and enjoy with all your favorite fixings!

*I am sure you could experiment with any extras that you might want to add to this burger - like grilled peppers, chick peas, or any other veggie combo into the blender too.

lentil soup

1 T butter
2 T oil
1 onion
4-8 cloves garlic
1.5 cups lentils (dry, any color, rinsed & sorted)
6 cups water (approximate) or chicken/vegetable broth
1 T salt
3-4 stalks celery
2 small potatoes
2 carrots
Optional: squash, tomatoes, 
Spices (to taste): curry powder, coriander, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper (about 1 tsp each)
1/8 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper


Melt butter/oil in your pot (or slow cooker), add onions & garlic. Saute until translucent. Add lentils and 3 cups of water. Simmer for about 20 minutes until soft. Add the rest of your ingredients, chopped fine. Simmer until veggies are tender. Puree most of the soup in a blender, but save some to add back for chunky texture. Yum!!  Add the juice of 1 lime for some extra flavor.  Top with avocado too!  
*Lentils are high in protein, iron, fiber and even manganese. Who knew? The fiber in lentils can also lower your cholesterol!

granola

Mix together:
6 cups oats
1 cup flour
2 cups nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts)
2 cups coconut
¼ cup sunflower seeds/sesame seeds
1 tsp. salt
½ cup nonfat milk
cinnamon (optional)

Mix separately, then add to dry ingredients:
1 cup maple syrup
½ cup oil

Mix everything well until coated evenly, and bake at 225 for about 2 hours. Stir every 20 minutes. Turn off oven and add 1 cup dried fruit (raisins, chopped dates, dried apricots, etc). Cool and enjoy! Store in an airtight container so it stays crunchy. We take this camping too!