Black Bean Burgers

Mary O. sent this recipe in and writes, "I thought these were delicious and I planned on making these again!"

makes 4 cakes

recipe:

1 1/2 c prepared salsa

1 jalapeño pepper optional

2 15oz cans black beans rinsed and drained or use 1 pint jar canned black beans

1 - 8.5oz package corn muffin mix

2 1/2 tsp chili powder

2 T olive oil

1/2 c sour cream

1/2 tsp chili powder

In colander drain, 1/2 cup salsa; seed and finely chop half the jalapeño

In a large bowl, mash beans with vegetable masher or fork, Stir in muffin mix, drained salsa, 2 1/2 tsp chili powder, and chopped jalapeno

In a 12 inch skillet, heat 1 Tbsp oil over med light heat. Add 4 1/2 cups mounds of bean mixture to skillet. Flatten mounds with spatula to 3 1/2 inch round cakes

Cook 3 min on each side until browned.  Remove from skillet; repeat with remaining oil & bean mixture

In a bowl combine sour cream and 1/2 tsp. chili powder; top cakes with reaming salsa, sliced jalapeño and seasoned sour cream.

Easy Pizza Sauce

Mary O. sent this pizza sauce repice to go with the home-made pizza dough she submitted. 


NOTE:  The recipe takes really good but the water content is too much so it needs to be cut back but not sure how much exactly.

Recipe:
1 6oz can of tomato paste
1 1/2 cups water  [start out with 1/3 cup and see how much you want to add]
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1/2 T dried oregano
1/2 T dried basil
1/ tsp dried rosemary crushed

Mix together the tomato paste, water 1/3 cup, and olive oil. Mix well. Add garlic, salt, pepper to taste, oregano, basil and rosemary. Mix well and let stand several hours to let flavors blend. No cooking necessary just spread on dough.

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

Mary O. sent this recipe along with an easy pizza sauce.  She writes, "I have been making my own pizza crust every Friday night. I have recipe that uses half white and half whole wheat. This recipe makes two batches so i usually freeze one until the next week. I like this recipe because I roll it out larger that the actual pan size and put shredded mozzarella cheese around the edges and then I put the dough over the edge and I have stuffed crust. I bake this for 10 minutes in 400 degree oven. I prick my crust and bottom of the crust. Then I take it out and put homemade pizza sauce and then cheese, throw on some spices such as oregano, basil and garlic powder. I love fresh mushrooms and then pop it back in the over and cook 10 to 12 more minutes."

Recipe:
1 1/2 cups warm, 115 ° water (I used thermometer to make sure it is right about 1 min in the microwave)
2 packets active dry yeast
1/4 cup olive oil plus more for bowl
2 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp coarse salt (I use kosher salt)
2 cups all purpose flour, spooned and leveled plus more for kneading
2 cups whole wheat flour, spooned and Leveled

1. Place water in a large bowl, sprinkle with yeast. Let stand until foamy about 5minutes. Brush another large bowl with oil

2. In bowl with yeast, whisk sugar, oil, and salt.. Stir in flours with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms. Transfer to oiled bowl, brush top of dough with oil.. cover bowl with plastic wrap let stand in a warm spot until dough has doubled in size about 1 hour .

3. Turn dough out onto a well floured surface. With floured hands, knead until smooth about 15 seconds, divide into two balls.

4. Set balls on a plate (they should not touch) freeze until firm about 1 hour. then freeze in a freezer bag up to three months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator.

I usually get my dough out the night before place in oiled bowl and hope it starts rising eventually or who ever gets home first pull the dough out and place near warm heat source until I come home to make the pizza.

When I roll my dough out I go past the edges and let it flop over the sides, then I spread mozzarella cheese near the rim of the pizza pan all the way around. Then I pull my crust over the cheese creating a stuff crust cheese. I prick the crust with the cheese inside as well as the bottom of the pizza crust. Cook for 10 minutes in preheated 400 degree oven.

Pull out, spread with pizza sauce, add seasonings, add pepperoni, sausage, put fresh sliced mushrooms on top they add mozzarella cheese. Bake 10 -12 minutes until cheese is bubbling and crust is desired brownness. Let sit 5 minutes then cut and eat.