Friday, March 21, 2014

Petite Personal Patties {Recipe Redux}

It's March 21, so that means time for the monthly Recipe Redux challenge! This month's theme was A Play on Patties: While St. Patty’s Day will be over by the time The Recipe ReDux rolls around this month, we’re celebrating the ‘patty’ all month long. Think healthy tuna burgers, potato patties, or veggie stacks. 

As usual, I wanted to create a dish using quite a few vegetables and I also like playing around with legumes since I know many people are unsure what to do with them in the kitchen. I also decided to try a new take on the traditional burger in a bun accompanied by fries. So, I made the "bun" out of potato instead! Also, knowing that people have different taste preferences (or picky eaters) I made sliders with a variety of toppings so everyone can personalize their own. Any leftover toppings can be used for a fritatta or salad tomorrow. I feel that they're sort of like a falafel texture, and I had fun with all the toppings!
Makes 10-12 sliders

Ingredients
2 medium white potatoes, scrubbed, skins still on
3 Tbsp olive oil, divided
1 can (540ml or 19oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch fresh parsley (or cilantro), rinsed and roughly chopped
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 cup bread crumbs
8-10 white mushrooms, sliced
1/2 medium onion, sliced
5-6 handfuls of arugula
1 avocado, sliced
1/2-1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Salt and pepper
*optional: mayo, cheese

Directions
1. "Buns": Preheat oven to 450F and slice potatoes into 1/3" rounds. Microwave for about 3 minutes (or more) to speed up the roasting time. Lightly brush with olive oil and season with pepper; place on baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes total (turning once) until golden brown. Set aside to cool until ready to use.
2. Meanwhile prepare your patties: Place rinsed beans, garlic, parsley, egg, cayenne, and a dash of pepper in a food processor. Mix until smooth consistency, remove and add breadcrumbs. Heat a saucepan over medium with 1/2 Tbsp of oil. Form 10-12 slightly flattened patties and cook in two batches to allow room to flip. Cook for about 5 minutes per side and remove from heat.
3. Prepare toppings: wash and slice mushrooms and onion. Heat a saucepan with 1/2 Tbsp oil over medium heat and cook each (I did them separately) for about 5 minutes or until brown. Prepare tomatoes and avocado and place arugula on plates. 
Note: patties can be formed ahead of time and refrigerated covered; topping vegetables can also be sliced ahead of time.

Create your masterpiece with a potato, patty, toppings, and another potato. Enjoy!
What kind of patties are you making these days? Fish cakes? A unique dessert? Check out the Reduxers below for more ideas.

Here's to enjoying food :)
Steph Langdon, RD
something nutrishus counselling & coaching
www.nutrishus.com