Summer Grilling Ideas

YAY FOR SUMMER!

I just love summer, despite the fact that my hair turns into a frizzy nest. And what says summer more than a good ol' fashion cook out?!? So what's a girl to do when greasy hamburgers are getting passed out left and right? Well, duh- eat them every once in a while, but it's nice to have an alternative to the belt busting burger. 

This Memorial day I made black bean burgers, and boy where they yummy! And at only about 115 calories per patty you are cutting back considerably over a beef patty. Not to mention the double whammy of less fat and more fiber - BAM - take that backyard cook out!

Here's what ya need:

1 Can of Black Beans (Drained)

1/4 Cup Flaxseed Mill

1/2 Onion (minced)

2 tsp Black Pepper

2 tsp Chili Powder

2 tsp Cumin

1 tsp Cyan Pepper (Optional if you want Spicy Burgers!) 

• Mash the black beans and mix in the rest of the ingredients. (If it's too dry add water 1 tsp at a time) You can also mix everything together all at once in a food processor. 
• Form the mixture into patties, and set aside. 
• Grill patties for 3-4 minutes on each side. 
• * If you find that your patties are too crumbly, or just don't hold up like you'd hoped you can add 1 Egg to make life easier. 

Your Black Bean Patties are Gluten Free, and Vegan (if you leave out the egg), not to mention Delicious and good for your tummy. 

Eat open faced on a bed of lettuce topped with some avocado slices, or just go for broke and spring for the Burger Buns. 

Since I cook for just me I always end up with leftovers and have to make two or three meals out of everything I cook. The first time I had my black bean patties just like a good ol' hamburger should be, on Toasted Buns with carbs and gluten (haha), topped with Lettuce, Spinach, Cilantro and Avocado.

My second meal with the black bean patties was a spin on Taco Salad. I crumbled the patties into a bowl of lettuce, with Avocado, Salsa, and topped it with the Baked Tostitos (also gluten free). I'm not gonna lie it was even better then burger!!! 

*Disclaimer on the Baked Tostitos

. 

I LOVE CORN CHIPS. 

I could eat them by themselves all day long...I love corn!!!!

Ok, that said; I know corn chips are not the absolute best thing for me, so I decided to try the baked ones from Lay's. If you eat them with something like dips or salsa, or in say.... a black bean burger taco salad maybe ;-) you can't really tell the difference. They taste the same. By themselves straight outta the bag....not so much. I would give them a "no bueno" for stand alone snaking. 

Then again, I do consider myself a corn chip aficionado. 

Let me know if you try this recipe and what you think of Black Bean Burgers...or Taco Salad. 

You are Beautiful and Loved more than you could ever imagine! 

Now get grilling!

Love and Corn Chips,

Cassi