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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Vegan Black Forest Burger Recipe from "Vegan Indian Cooking: Fifty Simple and Healthy Vegan Recipes" from Anupy Singla

Kala Chana-Mega Protein Packed Pellets.  Black Chickpeas.  Getting prepped to make "Black Forest Burgers", a delightful "Indian Burger" from Anupy Singla's upcoming book "Vegan Indian Cooking". And Anupy said to go ahead and post the recipe!  So you guys can make out of this world Indian Burgers too!!  The new book is available for pre-order as well-link below!




The Indian Slow Cooker: 50 Healthy, Easy, Authentic Recipes
Buy The Indian Slow Cooker Book
A "must have" for any Vegan that loves Indian food. 
This is Anupy's first book.  Nearly ALL vegan and can be made with zero oil!


Her next book will be all vegan.  But not all slow cooking.  Even though the slow cooker book has a couple of meat recipes in it, I would still buy it.  It is by far the most often used book in my kitchen.  Whether I am eating cooked or raw-it makes it a cinch to whip something up with ingredients I keep on my shelves and "normal produce".

These burgers use Desi Chickpea Flour-so a great gluten free option.  Obviously, if celiac you would have to check to make sure is was manufactured gluten free.  But a lovely flour to use instead of "grain" flour!

Locally grown rice?  Yep.  Okay, it's not "Authentic Indian" and actually I don't normally buy this type.  However, we were at the "local" store, and it was organic and basmati.  A bit pricer.  But if you are looking for more local options, then it's a great buy.

The colors are great.  It just LOOKS super healthy!!

Beet, Onion, Cabbage, Sweet Potato, Ginger.

Garam Masala, Turmeric, Red Chilli Powder (NOT Mexican!), Coriander, and Coursely ground salt.



Food Processor..........Love that Indian dishes are so healthy and also super economical.  Even if you buy all organic, rice, beans, cabbages, and potatoes are just really inexpensive.  It does not have to cost more to eat healthier.  Yes, if you buy packaged organic foods or you buy organic cauliflower out of season, but if you just pay attention to the prices and buy what it on sale.  And shop in the produce and bulk aisles, it really works out okay.

Vivid Burger Mix!

I think every healing spice that Dr. Oz, Chopra, or Weil ever brags about is in this bowl!  And WAY cheaper and more delicious than your standard HMO.

I didn't "overmix".  Love that there are still some chunks in there.  And the dough was pretty easy with which to work.  




Love the cast iron skillet for this kind of stuff.  If you use oil, then thicker skillets like this tend to allow you to use less.  

Browning nicely.


These got rave reviews from my hubby and both my folks.   


Black Forest Burger
Makes about 8 - 10 patties, about 3 inches in diameter
2 cups cooked black chickpeas (kala chana) or black beans 
2 cups cooked brown rice
1/8 cup oil
1 cup chickpea flour (sifted if possible)
1/2 cup chopped kale, beet greens, or other deep green leafy vegetable
1/4 cup cilantro, minced
1/2 cup uncooked yam or sweet potato, peeled and grated
1/2 cup beets, raw, peeled and grated (about 2 small)
1/2 cup red cabbage, grated
1/2 small red onion, minced
1-inch ginger, peeled and grated
1 tablespoon coarse sea salt 
1 tablespoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chile powder
2 teaspoons garam masala
oil for cooking
  1. In a food processor grind together the chickpeas or beans, rice, and oil until well mixed and blended. Add the chickpea flour 1/2 cup at a time. Add the kale or other greens and process until smooth. Remove into a deep bowl. 
  2. Mix in remaining fresh ingredients (it’s best done by hand).  After mixed, add in the spices and again mix until blended.   
  3. Make small balls with your hands and flatten them into patties and set aside on a tray. 
  4. Lightly oil a griddle or frying pan and heat patties until browned on both sides over medium heat. Cook patties about 4 - 5 minutes on both sides. It helps to put a lid on the pan and occasionally press down on the patties with a spatula to allow them to cook through. Alternatively, these veggie patties are hearty enough that you can also cook them on a grill.
And in Rescue News!  More short videos of the dogs Gateway Pet Guradians (www.gatewaypets.com) feeds in East St. Louis.  Feeds, Rescues, etc...

2 minutes with Savvy.  Super pregnant and about ready to burst!  But A wonderful Ms. U was able to get her that evening and now Savvy is being super spoiled and will be giving birth anyday now.  She was too far along to get spayed.  Horton is the father of these puppies.

I have been a miserable human person and not been remotely active at all lately!! However, Pj said Blondie needed some exercise so I felt like I should help Blondie out.  And of course, you always get more in return.  And Blondie has helped me out by getting my butt out of the house and doing some running (okay, jogging!) again!  2 minute clip.

These guys are regulars.  We basically need fosters for all of them.
2 minutes 20 seconds.

2 1/2 minutes with RaRa.  I wish RaRa could find a perfect foster.  Someone without other dogs or with a submissive male.  Also, she is going to be a shy one with a new person.  She is super sweet.

Lloyd is getting to be an old man on the streets.  Whitney Kissed Pj the other day!!

I am thrilled to tell you that Tommy, Tommy's Kitty AND the Siamese were rescued.  They will be looking for forever homes soon!  But Mr. Tux and a few of his friends are still at this house. 90 seconds of kitties. 

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Greener Pastures. The sweetest grass in New York. Union Square's Magic Sprout Bus.


Where in the world is sprout juice delivered by magic school buses?  Union Square, New York.  Of Course.  I had read about "Greener Pastures" in the NY Vegan Guide.  Something about "the sweetest grass in the city" being sold out of a schoolbus, many mornings in Union Square.  Handcranked from a manual metal juicer.  Perfect.  And the location is perfect.  First, the GreenMarket is also home to "Body & Soul"  a vegan baked goods stand that is really close to the Grass Stand.  Then Whole Foods is right there.  Jivamukti a few steps away on Broadway.  Um.....aside from the absolute lack of "yard" in the city.....this is one of the island's sweetest spots.

Union Sq W
16th St

New YorkNY 10003
Neighborhood: East Village

We always get "doubles" and they crank it out on a little metal juicer made in Czechoslovakia.  

They sell sprouts and sprout juice.  Lots of photos of all their furkids.  





Isn't this great?  A bus full of sprouts.  Wheatgrass, Pea Sprouts, Sunflower greens.



They seem to have a pretty steady flow of customers.  

Their cats like grass too.

Sunflower Greens.

Green Pea Juice.

I have personal experience with this.  I have had to hide my grass because all of the cats think I have gotten them grazing beds.  They eat the stuff and then they love to just the whole tray of it for a bed.

Bustle in Union Square.  Ignore the Grass Fed Beef.  Ick.  Just because murder is local, it doesn't really romanticize it at all.  It's not like NY brags about their human homicide rate.  


Lots of artists set up shop & sell their goods.


Whole Foods...........Not as crazy as the one in Columbus Circle, but busy.  Can't tell there is a recession when you walk into that place.  
Ahhhh....Just makes me want to grow grass and buy a school bus.  I would want to paint lots of colors on it though.  Just not sure Sprout Juice would be such a hot selling item in downtown St. Louis.


And the street kids of East St. Louis.  They don't want to be street kids forever and they are begging for foster homes.  www.gatewaypets.com
A few of the kids from February 3, 2012.
 Knuckles.  Knuckles may have a dislocated "elbow" and we may or may not be able to do anything about that.  But to find all of that out, we need to rescue this guy & get him to a vet.  Yeah, in order to do that we need a foster.  No, we don't have a brick & mortar shelter yet, so we truly have nowhere to take Mr. Knuckles.

 The homes in the background have been temporary shelter, yet dangerous from the lack of structural integrity, to many of the street kids.  Most of these homes are on the verge of total collapse and the interiors are completely filled with debris. 

 Mr. Tux, Tommy's kitty?, then "The Siamese", and Tommy on the right.  The Siamese acts a bit like ours, and Pj told me I should exchange ours for the one on the street.  Ours acts out a bit.  She is a total diva and a terrible tease and she torments Fatoush......."Fatty" the cat.  But.....she is part of our family so we deal with her being totally bipolar.  I am suspect of any cat that is that cute......so I am not going to exhange ours for this one  :)  However, all these kids need homes!

 Ms. A, an incredible artist and past president of GPG, loved Lloyd. Ms A. went on to make human babies.  I kind of can't believe Lloyd is still on the street.  He may need a special home though, because Pj doesn't think he would get along with everyone.  He might be a little bossy, but at the same time, he is always with this pack.  


 Rebel is a new little girl.  She looks like Wolfgang, but the timing is wrong says Ms. Pj.  So who knows......but she is pretty shy.  You can tell that she really wants to be comfortable around us, she is just still fearful.

This is just a strange thing.  This little "shed" with an "open" sign in the window is on the corner.  Maybe this place does Barbecues at night?  And maybe people hang out on the outdoor carpeting and bed??  I don't know....but the "room" keeps expanding.  Wonder if that counts as an extra room at tax time??  Speaking of taxes, apparently East St. Louis is sort of like Detroit in that one would think that taxes are low because you really don't get many perks living here.  But no, I guess that taxes are kind of high........It may be they are in dire need of money and there are not enough people that can supply that money that live within the city limits, so the taxes are higher than one could imagine.  I know there are beautiful historic homes in Detroit, but that the taxes can break the deal.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Aloo Baingan. Spicy Punjabi Eggplant with Potatoes from "The Indian Slow Cooker Book". Antioxidant Veggies. Fosters needed!

Vegan Aloo Baingan. From my favorite slow cooker book & my favorite Indian book, on the planet. Eggplant & Potatoes.  Zero grease.  Zero cholesterol.  100% goodness.  Cut veggies.  Add spices.  Push "go".  Leave room!

The Indian Slow Cooker: 50 Healthy, Easy, Authentic Recipes
Buy The Indian Slow Cooker Book
A "must have" for any Vegan that loves Indian food. 



Her next book will be all vegan.  But not all slow cooking.  Even though the slow cooker book has a couple of meat recipes in it, I would still buy it.  It is by far the most often used book in my kitchen.  Whether I am eating cooked or raw-it makes it a cinch to whip something up with ingredients I keep on my shelves and "normal produce".

Somehow I managed to keep an eggplant going all summer......

I cut the eggplant slightly larger than the potatoes because I am always worried the potatoes will not cook fully.  



The smaller you cook the potatoes, the faster they get cooked..........

Easy if you have all your spices in a "Spice Tiffin"!  

Garlic, Ginger, Garam Masala, Turmeric, Onion, Cumin...

Sometimes the lid will barely go on the slow cooker.  However, it cooks down pretty quickly.  I "set" the lid on top, and within a short time it cooked down.  Also-I just used a small amount of water to avoid using any oil at all.  It works great.

And a few hours later..........

Cilantro and Onion to garnish.








Divine, as usual.  I always halve the salt in the slow cooker book recipes.  Anupy calls for course salt as well, so if you are using a finer grade, you are going to want to reduce the amount.  Also, cooking times can vary slightly.  They are veggies & beans and it is a slow cooker.  I have found that nearly every recipe in the book worked at the amount of time given.  But I do tend to cook a few of the dry recipes for just a bit longer.

They always talk about anti-oxidant activity, but they don't always talk about which veggies actually work best "within" your cells.  Dr. G keeps up on everything and has the most informative nutritional nuggets you can get.  Infused with a dose of humor.  Check him out on the link above.

Check it out!!  Eggplant didn't win, but it's pretty high up on the list............



These are about 30 to 90 second clips of some of the dogs www.gatewaypets.com  feeds daily on the streets of East St. Louis.  They all need fosters.  

Ahhh.  RaRa is still looking for a foster.  She would do best with a submissive male.  She has lived her whole life on the streets and is just a doll.

Horton & Horton's girl.  Horton (the black/brindle dog) used to hang with another pack but most of them got rescued.  He seems to have made a lot of new friends on the streets.  Sometimes he hangs with Knuckles & Fingers.  And sometimes "his girl".  There are many boarded up, burned out, and abandoned homes in East St. Louis.  A few of the homes that we have done puppy rescues in, have since completely collapsed.  Mama dogs often have puppies underneath the floorboards of these homes.  However, even though the dogs may seek shelter in these places, it isn't like they just stay in them all the time.  Most of these kids are also very shy.  

These kids are ridiculously cute.  And they are almost always there.

OMG.  All the kids came out this day.  Listen carefully at the end and you hear little Siamese making a funny sound.

Horton and Knuckles.  Poor Knuckles needs to have his "elbow" looked at to see if there is anything we can to to help him.