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!

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!

Vegan Indian Cooking: Fifty Simple and Healthy Vegan Recipes

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. 

Ginger-Garlic Eggplant from "The Indian Slow Cooker" by Anupy Singla

Another huge success from Anupy Singla's "The Indian Slow Cooker" book.

                                                     "The Indian Slow Cooker" on Amazon.

I have made over a dozen recipes from this book and have loved them all.  The actual, physical book is also great to browse.  With an awesome "lay flat" binding, lots of color photos, and ingredients that I actually have at home, it's like being in a candy store where I can buy anything.  Most books I browse, and then have to make a list, and then lose the list, and then don't have the ingredients.  Once you start using this book, you pretty know what ingredients to have on hand & the "staples" for legumes & veggies.  Of course, you will want to stock up your spice cabinet as well with the basics.  Check out all the other "Indian Slow Cooker" dishes I have made on the right hand side of the blog.  

Chop the eggplant.  I made kind of small, just to ensure that it would actually cook.  I don't think I needed to do this, but I was hungry and have not only a bean addiction, but perhaps a small eggplant one as well.  There is probably a group for that.

Ginger, Chilies, Onion, Cumin, Red Chili Powder (not Mexican chili powder!!)

Spices, Garlic & Onion.

Throw in slow cooker.  Push button.  Wait.  LOVE how easy this is.  

Super texture.  Heads up for those who are easy on the spices.  These dishes are generally not easy on the spices.  This dish, in particular, might be needed to be toned down a bit if you aren't what Anupy's dad calls a "spicy person".  I am full of spice so took it like the spicy broad I am.  But just warning you!!

So today I was just wondering what Anupy is going to teach us in her next book.  Yes, next book!!  Our Punjabi Princess is making a "Vegan Indian" book and it promises to be amazing.  I hope for more veggie stuff like broccoli, zuchinni, maybe an okra dish??  I have also been munching on the Black Chickpea Curry the last few days.  The first time I made them I was surprised by the dryness of their texture (when compared to Garbanzo Beans), but now this "Kala Chana", Black Chickpeas has won a place in my heart!

"Kala Chana" Black Chickpea Curry from "The Indian Slow Cooker" book by Anupy Singla.  And check out all the links on the right hand side of blog to other dishes I have made from this book!

Vegan Kala Chana or "Black Chickpea Curry"

Kala Chana "Black Chickpea Curry"
Recipe from The Indian Slow Cooker.


This one is from page 80 of "The Indian Slow Cooker" by Anupy Singla.  This book is awesome because underneath the title of the recipe, the cooking time and the food yield is also listed.  I was sort of intrigued by this whole "Black Chickpea" thing because I just didn't every recall having them.  I probably have had them at a restaurant at some point, but I just have no reference for it.  So it's pretty exciting being nearly 40 and discovering new types of beans!  The black chickpea never really breaks down like the white one does.  The book mentions that the protein content is very high on these.  Another dump the beans in, put a few things in food processor, add to slow cooker.  A mere 9 hours later you have a beautiful meal.  These chickpeas are so amazing looking!  At first I was slightly put off by the drier  texture.  But by the second bowl I was in heaven.  Love the name "Kala Chana".  Page 82 has a "Dry, Tangy Black Chickpea" recipe of a dish that is served at auspicious Hindu Ceremonies.  That one may be more "dry" than this.  Black lentils and Black chickpeas seem special.  Maybe because of Kali's black hair??  Well, they are very special in our household because they are a beautiful new bean!  Chickpeas rock. And don't forget to squeeze the lemon on top.  That is going to increase the amount of iron you absorb from these black beauties.

Seriously simple.  Dried beans with wet ingredients and spice.
Put everything in at once and push a button.
No excuses for not eating healthy now.

Check out this newsclip!

Black chickpeas show functional ingredient potential: "After purple tomatoes, black garlic and golden kiwi fruit Israeli scientists now propose that rust-colored and black chickpeas are antioxidant-rich and could be functional food ingredient." 


It seems that these guys are even higher in nutrients than their white counterparts.  So they truly are magical.

Kala Chana
Protein Powered Black Chickpeas!