Monday Musings......

Hi everyone, how is your day going??? According to my computer, the temperature is 55 degrees outside....WOW!!! Kylie was barking at a kid walking down the street with NO jacket on....a couple of days ago, he might have been wearing a jacket....this is Wisconsin weather. We think it is summer now...hahahahaha!!!!

I put out the bird feeders a couple of months ago. FINALLY had a couple of visitors the past week or so. Mr Cardinal and his lovely lady came by for some seeds. Always fun to watch the birds visit.

I made some Vegie Burgers last night, this is not exactly what they looked like, but this is the recipe I used with a bit of critiquing....of course, who follows a recipe to the "T"......not I, that is for sure!!!! No fun in that!!! Anyways....these burgers were actually very good!!!

Greek-Style Lentil Burgers

½ cup dried lentils
2 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for brushing patties
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)(I used frozen onions/peppers)
½ red bell pepper, diced (½ cup)(I used frozen onions/peppers)
4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp.)
1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained (I used 1 can refried beans)
1 cup loosely packed parsley leaves(used dried parsley 1 tablesp.)
½ cup pitted kalamata olives (didn't have)
2 large eggs
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground coriander (didn't have, used terimac instead)
1 tsp. salt (used 1/2 tsp.)
½ tsp. ground black pepper
1 cup plain breadcrumbs (2 c. seasoned breadcrumbs, there is a lot of moisture)
¾ cup grated carrots
½ tsp. baking powder

Tzatziki Sauce (ummm....did not make this, maybe next time)
2 cups plain low-fat yogurt
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, shredded, and drained
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 tsp. chopped fresh mint
1 tsp. chopped fresh parsley
1. To make Burgers: Cook lentils according to package directions. Drain.

2. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper, and sauté 7 minutes. Stir in garlic.
3. Blend chickpeas, parsley, olives, eggs, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper in food processor 2 minutes, or until smooth. Stir chickpea mixture, breadcrumbs, carrots, and baking powder into lentils. Shape into 8 patties. Layer patties between plastic wrap, and freeze.
4. To make Tzatziki Sauce: Combine all ingredients in small bowl.
5. Preheat grill to high. Brush frozen patties with oil, and cook 6 minutes on each side. Serve Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce.
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So now I have lots of this vegie burger stuff in the frig. My next experiment will be to make tacos and patties to freeze (as mentioned above in the recipe). See how that works for a quick meal for JP when he comes home from work at 1am in the morning!!!

Well, time to close here for a bit....
I was going to go to the store today....did not make it. That is okay though, tomorrow perhaps. Have to get my list together first. Pay some bills and get JP ready to go to work. Then I have the rest of the day to bum around. Perhaps I will take Kylie for a long walk, she will like that.

You all have a good day and keep looking up.
Cheers ~ Louise