Showing posts with label fast food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fast food. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

A Black Bean Burger You Would Marry

Posted by Nichole Leigh

Black bean burger with homemade fries


That's right folks. You heard me. If you were a delicious food item, you would find this black bean burger, marry it, and have delicious, savory children. This hearty, satisfying creation is worlds away from the anemic, processed, frozen veggie burgers at the supermarket. 


This burger puts Boca Burgers to shame. It is a vegan masterpiece and will absolutely become a regular part of your diet. I dare you not fall in love. I dare you. 




A Black Bean Burger You Would Marry
This recipe is adaptive from an inspiring post on Eat, Live, Run. Check out the original recipe here, along with the author's fabulous photos. They do more justice to the burger than do mine. Serve this delight with avocado, greens, tomatoes or whatever floats your boat! It is tremendously flexible. The patties don't freeze quite as well as you might expect. However, they're great as leftovers. Recipe makes 6-7 patties.

Ingredients
3 cups black beans (roughly 2, 14oz. cans)
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal, plus 1 tablespoon warm water
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato sauce 
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 cup finely ground breadcrumbs
2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup frozen corn, defrosted
vegetable oil for frying the patties



Directions
1. Combine the ground flax seed meal with the warm water and set aside.
2. Combine the jalapeno pepper and garlic in a food process. Pulse a couple of times to 
mince finely (do not puree).
3. Add one and half cups of beans to the food processor, and pulse again to combine. The 
texture should be chunky, not smooth.
4. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add the tomato sauce, soy sauce, bread crumbs,
 cumin, salt, corn, flax seed mixture, and the rest of the beans.
5. Form the mixture into six patties and set aside.
6. Heat the oil in a skillet on a medium high heat. Add the black bean burgers and cook until
 crispy, about 7 minutes each side.
7. Serve burgers with you favorite burger toppings! 




Monday, October 10, 2011

Sam I Am: A Taste of the East Coast

So when you have a dog with separation anxiety (like I do), you stop being able to eat at restaurants where dogs aren't welcome. Thank God I live in north county San Diego, one of the most dog friendly areas around, and thank God it's Southern California and the temperature rarely dips below 50.


In my quest for quiet patios with good food, I have discovered Sam's Pizzeria. Sam's is a sweet little family owned restaurant in Del Mar with a view of an estuary and the ocean. I didn't have very high expectations the first time I went. I was just excited to be out of the house, with Bounder in tow, of course. But one bite of the lasagna converted me.

As if it wasn't enough to find a vegetarian lasagna on an affordable restaurant's menu, the sauce was perfectly seasoned. The cheese was delicious. And the meal came with garlic bread. I was sold.


While the location makes it impossible to forget you are in California, the food at Sam's reminds me of home. The food is hearty and delicious. The homemade salad dressing is perfectly seasoned and the garlic bread isn't greasy. My favorite dishes? The vegetarian lasagna, the pesto ravioli, and the manicotti.

I have to say that, for calling itself a pizzeria, Sam's pizza isn't the best. The crust is very light and airy, which can be nice, but something about the crust, sauce, cheese, and toppings just doesn't work. For pizza, I'll still stick with Oggi's.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Subway: Eat Fresh and Vegetarian Friendly


A Vegetarian's Guide to Subway

photo courtesy of vegwise.wordpress.com

The world of fast food is a scary, dark, mostly deep fried place best avoided by those of us who value quality food and fresh vegetables and avoid meat. I avert my eyes when I pass a McDonald's (unless I have to use the bathroom. They have surprisingly, reliably clean bathrooms.) My one major exception? Subway.

Subway was way ahead of the game when it came to disclosing calories. They have many veggies to choose from, and they are all delivered fresh each day (I particularly like their tomatoes). And for a "limited time" they're offering freshly sliced avocado (I hope that limited time extends forever!) I don't pretend that these are the best veggies around. I could certainly find better in a grocery store and make my own sandwich, probably for less money. But the point is that, sometimes, fast food is just that: fast and convenient. But most of it is really bad for you and not at all vegetarian friendly. Subway is slightly ahead of the fast food race to cater to vegetarians.



It used to be all about the Veggie Delight sandwich, aka whichever bread you choose plus cheese and however many veggies you could stuff in there. While that was great, it wasn't exactly a satisfying sandwich.

And then, a breakthrough. Subway started offering "veggie patties," which are basically veggie burgers. But God, are they delicious. I am obsessed with this sandwich. I get a six inch on wheat, toasted, no cheese, with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, oil, and vinegar.

photo courtesy of learningvegan.blogspot.com

The veggie patty has 160 calories on its own. Definitely no match for a Boca Vegan burger, which clocks in at just 70 calories. The sodium count is a bit high as is the fat. But again, convenience. Most of us don't have a microwave in our car on those long road trips and it's preferable to chewing one's own arm off. (No nutrition info available for a human arm, but I'm sure it's very fatty and not at ALL vegetarian friendly.)

Vegans beware: the subway veggie patty contains milk and egg products.

The moral of the story? If you're looking for a fast food restaurant, look no further than Subway for a satisfying and (pretty) healthy option.

Subway Veggie Patty nutrition information:

Serving Size: 1 patty
Calories: 160 calories
Carbohydrates: 12 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
Sugar: 2 grams
Fat: 5 grams
Protein: 6 grams
Sodium: 520 milligrams
nutrition info courtesy livestrong.com

But of course, choosing the patty is only the first step. Making healthy choices begins with the patty and ends with the bread and toppings.

Here is some information on the bread, cheeses, and sauces available at Subway courtesy of their well-organized website:

Breads
Serving SizeCaloriesCalories From FatTotal FatSaturated FatTrans FatsCholesterolSodiumCarbohydratesDietary FiberSugarsProteinVitamin AVitamin CCalciumIron
6" 9-Grain Wheat Bread78210202.00.50031040458003015
6" Hearty Italian Bread75210202.50.50029041257003015
6" Honey Oat89260253.00.50033048599003015
6" Italian (White) Bread71200202.00.50029038157003015
6" Italian Herbs & Cheese82250455.02.501049040259204015
6" Monterey Cheddar82240506.02.5010360382510204015
6" Parmesan Oregano Bread75220252.51.00044040258003515
6" Roasted Garlic82230252.50.5001260452784453515
6" Sourdough Bread78210253.01.000210413280046
Flatbread87220404.51.0004503822700815
Mini Italian (White) Bread47130151.50001902513500208
Mini Wheat Bread52140151.50002002733500208

Condiments & Extras
Serving SizeCaloriesCalories From FatTotal FatSaturated FatTrans FatsCholesterolSodiumCarbohydratesDietary FiberSugarsProteinVitamin AVitamin CCalciumIron
Avocado3570607.01.000032000400
Bacon (2 strips)945303.51.501019000030000
Cheddar Cheese (2 triangles)1560455.03.001595000440100
Light Mayonnaise (1 T)1550455.01.00510010000000
Mayonnaise (1T)1511011012.02.00108000000000
Mustard, Yellow & Deli Brown (2 tsp)1050000011510000000
Olive Oil Blend (1 tsp)745455.01.000000000000
Pepperjack Cheese (2 triangles)1150354.02.5015140000244100
Processed American Cheese (2 triangles)1140303.52.001020010024060
Provolone Cheese (2 half circles)1450354.02.0010125000420100
Ranch (amount on wrap)425202.50004000000000
Shredded Monterey Blend1450404.53.001590100340100
Swiss Cheese (2 triangles)1450354.52.501530000420150
Vinegar (1 tsp)8000000000000000

Select Sauce (1.5 T)
Serving SizeCaloriesCalories From FatTotal FatSaturated FatTrans FatsCholesterolSodiumCarbohydratesDietary FiberSugarsProteinVitamin AVitamin CCalciumIron
Chipotle Southwest211009010.01.501022010000000
Fat Free Honey Mustard21300000012070600002
Fat Free Sweet Onion2140000008590800000

Vegetables
Serving SizeCaloriesCalories From FatTotal FatSaturated FatTrans FatsCholesterolSodiumCarbohydratesDietary FiberSugarsProteinVitamin AVitamin CCalciumIron
Banana Peppers (3 rings)40000002000000600
Cucumbers (3 slices)17000000000000000
Green Peppers (3 strips)70000000000001000
Jalapeno Peppers (3 rings)40000007000000200
Lettuce21000000000000000
Olives (3 rings)30000002500000000
Onions7000000010000000
Pickles (3 chips)900000012500000000
Tomato (3 wheels)34500000020104600

Sides
Fresh Fit
Serving SizeCaloriesCalories From FatTotal FatSaturated FatTrans FatsCholesterolSodiumCarbohydratesDietary FiberSugarsProteinVitamin AVitamin CCalciumIron
Apple Slices - 1 package7135000000927003040
Baked Lays®32130151.5000150232220242
Dannon Light and Fit® Yogurt17080000058016011580150
Raisins - 1 package431300000003323020006
Tables courtesy of Subway.com