Category: Greens

Ultimate Arugula Pizza

This arugula pizza features a topping of baby greens! The fresh, peppery flavor is a great contrast to the rich…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This arugula pizza features a topping of baby greens! The fresh, peppery flavor is a great contrast to the rich cheese below.

Arugula Pizza

Want to eat salad and pizza…at the same time? Try this Arugula Pizza recipe! You’ve probably seen this style of pizza at artisan-style pizzerias: a gooey, cheesy pie topped with fresh baby greens. Yep, that’s seasoned baby arugula! This Italian way of serving pizza is all about contrast: fresh peppery baby greens against a rich, saucy pizza. Here’s our favorite arugula pizza, made in a sheet pan! Or you can simply use the arugula topping on your favorite pizza.

Making arugula pizza: 3 tips to note!

You can use this arugula pizza recipe as a guide for topping your pizzas with fresh greens! This topping idea works for any pizza recipe, or you can use our amazing and tasty sheet pan pizza: more on that below. Here’s all about need to know about adding arugula as a pizza topping:

  • Use only baby arugula. This does not work with standard arugula: it’s sold in bunches and has large leaves that are very spicy. Instead look for baby arugula: it has a lovely feathery texture and milder flavor.
  • Season the arugula with olive oil and salt. Dry arugula on a pizza is not good (trust us). All you have to do is toss it in a bowl with olive oil and salt.
  • Use the recipe below, or eyeball the quantities. Once you’ve done this once, you can just eyeball the quantities. Then add to your favorite pizza recipe!
Arugula pizza

Use arugula with any toppings

You can use arugula topping to go with pizzas of any toppings! Below we used our favorite combination, but it works with just about anything.

  • Try pizza sauce, smoked gouda and mozzarella. Head to the recipe below for our favorite combo with arugula! It stars our Easy Pizza Sauce and smoked gouda cheese for a savory twist.
  • Make arugula and Prosciutto pizza. Salty cured Italian ham (Prosciutto) is the perfect pair with arugula! Just add a few pieces to the recipe below.
  • Or, use it with any of your favorite toppings! Seasoned baby greens work with just about anything: pesto pizza, burrata pizza, margherita pizza, and more!

Try it as a sheet pan pizza

The recipe for this arugula pizza below is a sheet pan pizza. It’s not our standard way to make pizza: instead it’s made in a sheet pan! Here are the pros and cons to this style of pizza:

  • Pros: it makes a big pan and it’s easy to make. A sheet pan pizza has 12 pieces, so it serves quite a bit! You can skip making 2 pizzas and make just one. Also, you don’t need as much equipment, like a pizza stone or pizza peel. You can press it right into a sheet pan!
  • Cons: it takes a little longer. This style of pizza takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to prep, a little longer than our standard cheese pizza (which takes 1 hour and less prep work). But it’s well worth it in our opinion!
Arugula pizza topping

Or, make a standard pizza or use purchased dough!

You can also make this arugula pizza as a standard pizza! We’ve included the instructions for that in the recipe below in the Notes section. Here’s a little overview:

  • Dough: You can use our Italian Pizza Dough recipe, which has incredible flavor and makes a medium sized pizza! Or use store-bought dough.
  • Pizza stone: The best homemade pizza uses a pizza stone, which gets blazing hot in the oven. The higher temperature makes a crispy crust on the outside that’s doughy on the inside. Here’s the best pizza stone we’ve found.
  • Pizza peel: The pizza peel is a paddle used to slide the pizza onto the stone. We recommend this Standard pizza peel or this Conveyor pizza peel.
Arugula pizza recipe

What to serve with arugula pizza

We love this arugula pizza because it’s absolutely delicious and it makes us feel a little bit healthier! The arugula adds a fresh, peppery flavor and fluffy texture that’s incredibly satisfying. We’d still recommend adding a few salads to make it a meal. Pro tip: make one pizza and two salads, instead of two pizzas and one salad! Here are some favorite sides for pizza:

This arugula pizza recipe is…

Vegetarian.

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Arugula pizza

Ultimate Arugula Pizza

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 pieces
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

This arugula pizza features a topping of baby greens! The fresh, peppery flavor is a great contrast to the rich cheese below.

Ingredients

For the pizza dough*

  • 375 grams (3 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon instant or active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon each dried oregano and garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 264 grams (1 cup – 2 tablespoons) warm water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for the sheet

For the arugula pizza

  • 1 ¼ cup pizza sauce (purchased or our favorite Easy Pizza Sauce)
  • 1 cup (3 ounces) shredded smoked gouda cheese
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 4 cups (3 ounces) baby arugula
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for sprinkling
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Make the dough (5 minutes): In a large bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, yeast, kosher salt, oregano and garlic powder. Add the warm water and olive oil and stir until flour is incorporated.
  2. Knead the dough (8 minutes): Knead the dough by pushing with the base of your palm, then reforming it into a ball. Continue kneading for 8 minutes until the dough feels pillowy and has a smooth, stretchy exterior. If the dough is very sticky, add a small amount of flour while kneading. Alternatively: attach the dough hook to a stand mixer and start the mixer on medium-low speed, then allow the mixer to knead for 8 minutes.
  3. Roll out and rest the dough in a sheet pan (15 minutes): Using floured hands, gently shape the dough into a boule (ball shape) by folding the dough under itself. Add a light sprinkle of flour to the boule. Then roll out dough on floured surface to roughly the shape of the 13×18 sheet pan. Brush 3 tablespoons olive oil on the bottom and sides of a standard 13″x 18″ sheet pan. Add the dough and brush it lightly with oil. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and rest for 15 minutes to relax the dough.
  4. Rest the dough again (45 minutes): Press the dough back into the corners of the pan so it evenly covers the pan. Cover and rest 45 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 500F.
  6. Bake the pizza dough* without toppings: After the 45 minute rest, bake the pizza dough for 6 minutes without sauce and toppings.
  7. Add the toppings and bake again: Remove the dough from the oven. Add the pizza sauce, smoked mozzarella, fresh mozzarella (torn into pieces), and Parmesan cheese, and top with a few pinches of kosher salt. Take care, since the pan will be hot! Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly brown.
  8. Add the arugula topping: In a small bowl, mix the baby arugula with the olive oil and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt. Sprinkle the pizza with torn basil, then add the arugula on top. Cut into pieces with a knife (a pizza cutter doesn’t get all the way to the pan edges) and serve immediately.

Notes

*Or, use store-bought pizza dough for quicker prep. For this method you can skip pre-baking the crust. Here’s what to do: Make our Best Pizza Dough or use storebought dough. Place a pizza stone in the oven and preheat to 500°F. When the oven is ready, dust a pizza peel with cornmeal or semolina flour. (If you don’t have a pizza peel, you can use a rimless baking sheet or the back of a rimmed baking sheet. But a pizza peel is well worth the investment!) Stretch the dough into a circle; see How to Stretch Pizza Dough for instructions. Then gently place the dough onto the pizza peel. Top the pizza as noted above (you can use less cheese since the pizza will be smaller). Use the pizza peel to carefully transfer the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone. Bake the pizza until the cheese and crust are nicely browned, about 5 to 7 minutes in the oven (or 1 minute in a pizza oven). Slice into pieces and serve immediately.

  • Category: Main dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Arugula pizza

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Orecchiette with Bacon and Wilted Frisée

This easy weeknight pasta recipe will satisfy all your senses: with chunky bits of bacon and delicate wilted frisée and a mountain of freshly shredded Pecorino cheese. Quick and easy is the name of the game with this orecchiette pasta dish. It’s satisfying and flavorful, and even manages to get some greens in there in […]

This easy weeknight pasta recipe will satisfy all your senses: with chunky bits of bacon and delicate wilted frisée and a mountain of freshly shredded Pecorino cheese.

Quick and easy is the name of the game with this orecchiette pasta dish. It’s satisfying and flavorful, and even manages to get some greens in there in a surprisingly delicious way.

Bowl of orecchiette on a vintage wood board with a silver fork

Much like escarole, frisée is a unique, sturdy green that’s a bit too bitter to really enjoy as part of a salad. For me at least!

And other than soup, pastas are our favorite way to handle these slightly-bitter greens; in this case, slightly wilted and coated in bacon-y goodness which really does wonders to allay the bitterness.

Overhead, bowl of pasta with bacon and wilted frisee on a wooden board with pepper flakes and pecorino cheese

We first made this pasta months ago; I even shot it and wrote up a draft, but never published it because something just wasn’t quite right. Turns out, it was the pasta shape that was the problem. We originally used bucatini, which is one of our all-time favorite pasta shapes, but when used in this recipe it makes it really hard to get a nice ‘bite’ that includes all the goods in a single forkful. All the bits and toppings tend to settle in the bottom of your bowl.

That’s where orecchiette is so perfect: the little pasta ‘ears’ basically serve as scoops for the good stuff.

Anyone else reminded of those little rubber poppers you’d get from the quarter machines? You know, the ones you’d flip inside out, set on the table then hold your breath until they went flying? Just me?

Also: I will never spell orecchiette right on the first try. Heck, I can barely spell it right on the second, I usually end up having to google it and copy the spelling from there. It’s even worse than mozzarella or prosciutto!

Orecchiette: impossible to spell, effortless to eat.

(more…)

Breakfast Vegetable Scramble

Want to eat more veggies? Make this breakfast vegetables scramble! It’s got lots of colorful veggies to start the day right…with a plant based / vegan option. Want to eat more breakfast vegetables? You’re not alone. Eating more veggies to start the day is starting to trend. Because let’s face it: the American breakfast is largely based on carbs and sugar. Pancakes, waffles, muffins…all sugary. So health-minded people have been asking: why not re-imagine breakfast? Let’s infuse veggies into the first meal of the day, too. How to eat vegetables for breakfast? Try this Breakfast Vegetable Scramble! You can make it two ways: with eggs or tofu, depending on your diet. It’s full of savory flavor…and loaded with nutrients, too. Ingredients in this breakfast vegetables scramble This scramble is unlike most breakfast recipes…it’s loaded with vegetables! There are lots of vegetables you can eat for breakfast: here are the ones we chose. But you can feel free to customize this recipe as you choose! (See below.) The main ingredients in this breakfast vegetables scramble are: Bell pepper: 1 medium red bell pepper provides a whopping 169% of your daily vitamin C! (Source) That means eating 1 serving of this scramble […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Want to eat more veggies? Make this breakfast vegetables scramble! It’s got lots of colorful veggies to start the day right…with a plant based / vegan option.

Breakfast vegetables

Want to eat more breakfast vegetables? You’re not alone. Eating more veggies to start the day is starting to trend. Because let’s face it: the American breakfast is largely based on carbs and sugar. Pancakes, waffles, muffins…all sugary. So health-minded people have been asking: why not re-imagine breakfast? Let’s infuse veggies into the first meal of the day, too. How to eat vegetables for breakfast? Try this Breakfast Vegetable Scramble! You can make it two ways: with eggs or tofu, depending on your diet. It’s full of savory flavor…and loaded with nutrients, too.

Ingredients in this breakfast vegetables scramble

This scramble is unlike most breakfast recipes…it’s loaded with vegetables! There are lots of vegetables you can eat for breakfast: here are the ones we chose. But you can feel free to customize this recipe as you choose! (See below.) The main ingredients in this breakfast vegetables scramble are:

  • Bell pepper: 1 medium red bell pepper provides a whopping 169% of your daily vitamin C! (Source) That means eating 1 serving of this scramble you’ll stock up on 85% of your vitamin C for the day.
  • Baby kale and spinach: Kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet; it’s packed with nutrients like Vitamin K, anti-oxidants and more (read more here).
  • Avocado: You can serve avocado on the side in this breakfast. Avocados are rich in fiber with 25% of your daily value, full of heart healthy good fats, and loaded with vitamin and nutrients (source).
  • Eggs: They’re not breakfast vegetables, but eggs are also a healthy food. One egg has 75 calories, 7 grams of protein, and lots of nutrients. Recent research has found that eggs can increase the good cholesterol the body needs.
  • Tofu: For a plant-based option, you can use tofu instead! See below for nutrition info.
Breakfast vegetables

What other breakfast vegetables can you add?

This breakfast vegetables scramble is very customizable based on the vegetables that you have on hand! You can use so many more vegetables for breakfast. Here are some vegetables that we’d recommend:

  • Broccoli*
  • Carrots*
  • Mushrooms
  • Zucchini
  • Cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • Swiss chard, chopped
  • Cabbage, shredded
  • Brussels sprouts, shredded (here’s how to shred them)

For the broccoli and carrots, make sure to cut them small. You may find you need to cook a few minutes longer than the timing specified below since they are hard vegetables. Looking for more ideas? See these Best Vegetables to Eat Today.

Tofu scramble with breakfast vegetables
This tofu scramble is a healthy vegan breakfast idea full of vegetables

Vegan variation: make a tofu scramble!

Don’t want to eat eggs with your breakfast vegetables? Use tofu instead! This Tofu Scramble is so full of savory flavor, it tastes remarkably similar to eggs! Alex and I don’t eat 100% plant-based, but we adore tofu scrambles when we want a vegan option.

Is tofu healthy? Per the Harvard TH Chan School of Nutrition, soy is a nutrient-dense source of protein that can safely be consumed several times a week. It’s likely to provide health benefits, especially when you eat it as an alternative to red meat and processed meat. 

Vegetables for breakfast

Ways to eat breakfast vegetables

Want other breakfast vegetables ideas? Here are some more ways to load vegetables onto your plate in the morning:

  1. Make toast and load it with veggies. Try Avocado Toast. Or spread toast with hummus or goat cheese and add sauteed vegetables.
  2. Add a side of sauteed greens. Try Sauteed Spinach, Sauteed Chard or Sauteed Kale.
  3. Make a vegetable frittata. Try these Veggie Mini Frittatas.
  4. Eat breakfast tacos. These 5 Minute Tacos have delicious egg “taco meat”: load them with raw and sauteed veggies.
  5. Try savory oatmeal. Make oatmeal and top it with a poached egg and sauteed veggies.
  6. Sip vegetable smoothies. Try a green smoothie like Broccoli Smoothie, Spinach Smoothie, Kale Smoothie or Celery Smoothie.
  7. Make an omelette loaded with greens. Try this Parmesan Omelette and use any greens you like: spinach, kale or chard.

Sides to serve with this vegetable scramble

Want to serve an impressive breakfast or brunch? Here are a few great sides for this breakfast vegetable scramble:

  • Hash Browns: These Hash Browns in the Oven are perfect for sliding into the oven while you make a saute. Or make traditional Homemade Hash Browns in another skillet.
  • Sweet Potato Hash Browns: Try Sweet Potato Hash Browns are baked in the oven, making them simple to prep.
  • Breakfast Potatoes: These Pan Fried Potatoes are full of big flavor and take just 15 minutes.
Breakfast vegetables

This breakfast vegetables scramble recipe is…

Vegetarian, gluten-free, plant-based, vegan, and dairy-free.

Print
Breakfast vegetables

Breakfast Vegetable Scramble

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 8 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

Want to eat more veggies? Make this breakfast vegetables scramble! It’s got lots of colorful veggies to start the day right (and a vegan option).

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 1 red bell pepper (or 1/2 red and 1/2 orange)
  • 4 cups baby kale or spinach
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives or other fresh herbs
  • 4 eggs or this Tofu Scramble
  • ¼ cup shredded Colby cheese or crumbled goat cheese (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • Avocado slices, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep the vegetables: Thinly slice the red onion. Large dice the bell pepper.
  2. Prep the eggs or tofu: In a medium bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them together until well-beaten. Stir in the shredded cheese, fresh herbs, kosher salt, and plenty of fresh ground pepper. Or, complete Step 1 of the Tofu Scramble.
  3. Cook the vegetables: Heat the olive oil over medium high heat. When hot, add the onion and peppers. Cook 3 to 4 minutes until tender and just starting to brown, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low. Add a pinch of salt and the baby greens. Cook for 30 seconds until wilted. Remove and set aside.
  4. Cook the eggs or tofu: Keep heat on low. Pour in the eggs. Cook for 20 to 30 seconds. When the eggs just start to set, use a flat spatula to scrape sections of eggs, gently stirring constantly until cooked but still soft, about 1 minute. Or, complete Step 2 of the Tofu Scramble.
  5. Add the vegetables and serve: Add the veggies back to the pan with the eggs or tofu. Stir for a few seconds until combined and warmed. Serve immediately.
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Breakfast

Keywords: Breakfast vegetables

More breakfast recipes

Here are a few more of our favorite ways to eat healthy breakfast ideas:

  • Homemade Acai Bowl or Acai Smoothie This colorful smoothie bowl is full of nutrient-dense tropical fruits and almond butter.
  • Healthy Banana Bread Muffins These muffins are made of 100% oats: no flour! They’re a great way to eat oatmeal on the go.
  • Everyday Baked Oatmeal You’ll be blown away by the flavor of this baked oatmeal! It’s so easy to make and endlessly versatile: a true go-to recipe. Vegan variation, too!

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Black Bean Burgers

Super flavorful Homemade Black Bean Burgers are as easy as combining black beans together with a slew of flavorful ingredients, like garlic, red onion, cumin, cilantro, and sriracha. A little egg and breadcrumbs help hold the patty together, and you’ve got a super hearty, flavorful, and freezer-friendly homemade black bean burger. No more $8 restaurant […]

The post Black Bean Burgers appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Super flavorful Homemade Black Bean Burgers are as easy as combining black beans together with a slew of flavorful ingredients, like garlic, red onion, cumin, cilantro, and sriracha. A little egg and breadcrumbs help hold the patty together, and you’ve got a super hearty, flavorful, and freezer-friendly homemade black bean burger. No more $8 restaurant veggie burgers for me!

Originally posted 1-23-2011, updated 7-28-2020.

Side view of a black bean burger with toppings in the background

How Many Burgers Does This Recipe Make?

This recipe makes six decent-sized black bean burgers. And don’t worry, if you can’t eat all six within a few days, they’re freezer friendly! Note: The recipe and price breakdown below are for the burger only. Everyone likes something different on their burger, so I decided not to include buns and toppings in the recipe or price breakdown. 

How to Freeze the Black Bean Burger Patties?

Since I cook for just myself, I cooked two of my patties and froze the rest. Just wrap the raw patties in plastic wrap and then place them in a zip top freezer bag. To cook later, thaw the patty for 30 seconds in the microwave then finish cooking in a skillet as described in the recipe below.

What Toppings are Good on a Black Bean Burger?

I went with traditional mustard, tomato, lettuce, and red onion, but you could really have a lot of fun with the toppings. You could do a southwest spin and add some chipotle mayo, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños. Or how about a BBQ version with BBQ sauce and pepper jack cheese? A few avocado slices with any of the above themes would also be really nice. And you definitely need to try some Comeback Sauce on there!

Black Bean burgers on a tray with buns, toppings, ketchup and mustard.

Are These Black Bean Burgers Spicy?

Despite having sriracha as one of the ingredients, I don’t find these black bean burgers to be spicy at all. The sriracha just adds another subtle layer of flavor. If you want your black bean burgers to be spicy, simply double the sriracha, or add a jalapeño to the food processor when you’re processing your ingredients together.

Do I Have to Use a Food Processor?

You can make these black bean burgers without a food processor, but it’s a whole lot easier with one. :) To make the black bean burgers without a food processor, just finely mince the red onion, garlic, and sriracha by hand. Mash the black beans by hand (either with a fork or with a potato masher), then stir everything together by hand. 

Can I Bake Them?

I don’t suggest baking the black bean burgers because you won’t get the nice browning on the outside of the burger, which provides extra flavor and texture to the burger. 

Can I Skip the Egg?

I tried to make these black bean burgers without the egg, but unfortunately they just don’t hold together in the skillet (they turn into something more like refried beans). You may be able to do something like a flaxseed egg replacer, but I haven’t tested this.

P.S. This black bean burger recipe is basically a variation on my Homemade Falafel recipe, which is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.

A black bean burger on a plate, dressed but open faced with ketchup and mustard on the side

 
Side view of a single black bean burger on a bun, fully dressed, sitting on newsprint

Homemade Black Bean Burgers

Black beans, cumin, sriracha, garlic, and fresh red onion make these homemade black bean burgers a flavorful and filling vegetarian meal.
Total Cost $2.57 recipe / $0.43 serving
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 334.88kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 15oz. cans black beans $0.96
  • 1/4 red onion $0.11
  • 1 clove garlic $0.08
  • 1/4 bunch fresh cilantro* $0.20
  • 1 Tbsp sriracha $0.11
  • 1 Tbsp mayonnaise $0.09
  • 1 tsp ground cumin $0.10
  • 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce $0.09
  • 1/4 tsp pepper $0.03
  • 1 large egg $0.23
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs $0.26
  • 2 Tbsp cooking oil $0.08

Instructions

  • Rinse and drain the canned black beans. Add the black beans to a food processor along with the red onion, garlic, cilantro, sriracha, mayonnaise, cumin, soy sauce, and pepper. Pulse the ingredients until they are evenly mixed, but still slightly chunky.
  • Transfer the black bean mixture to a bowl and add one large egg and 1 cup breadcrumbs. Stir the ingredients together until they're evenly combined. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes.
  • Divide the black bean mixture into six equal portions, then shape each portion into a patty, about 3.5 inches in diameter, ½-inch thick.
  • To cook the black bean burgers, heat 1Tbsp cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add a few of the black bean burgers and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are well browned and heated through. Repeat with more oil and the rest of the patties until they're all cooked.
  • Place each patty in a bun, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy!

Notes

*feel free to sub parsley for the cilantro.

Nutrition

Serving: 1patty | Calories: 334.88kcal | Carbohydrates: 49.75g | Protein: 16.23g | Fat: 7.98g | Sodium: 942.65mg | Fiber: 15.33g

Updates to the old recipe: I eliminated the Worcestershire sauce from the original recipe so this recipe would actually be vegetarian (because if you’re making a black bean burger, I’m guessing you want it to be vegetarian!). I also swapped canned beans for home-cooked black beans, because I figure most people will have canned on hand. I used cilantro in place of parsley because that’s what I had on hand, but you can use whichever one you prefer! If you’d like a copy of the old recipe, simply email us at support@budgetbytes.com and we can send you a pdf.

How to Make Black Bean Burgers – Step By Step Photos

Black Bean Burgers in a food processor

Rinse and drain two 15oz. cans of black beans. Add them to a food processor along with ¼ of a red onion, 1 clove of garlic, ¼ bunch of cilantro (about ½ cup), 1 Tbsp sriracha, 1 Tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp cumin, 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce, and ¼ tsp pepper.

Processed black bean burger ingredients in the food processor.

Pulse the ingredients together until they’re mostly mixed. I like to leave it just a little chunky, but fairly even.

Black bean mixture with egg and breadcrumbs

Add the black bean mixture to a large bowl along with one egg and 1 cup breadcrumbs. 

Final black bean burger mixture in the bowl

Combine the black bean mixture with the breadcrumbs and eggs. I like to let this mixture sit for about five minute to let the breadcrumbs absorb some of the moisture.

Shaped black bean burgers on a green cutting board

Divide the mixture into six equal portions and shape them into patties (about ½ cup of mixture each, 3.5″ diameter, ½” thick).

Black bean burgers in a skillet

Add a ½ Tbsp cooking oil to a skillet and heat over medium. When the oil is hot, add a couple of patties and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are nicely browned and heated through. Repeat with more oil and patties until the desired number are cooked (or freeze the rest, see the info above the recipe for instructions on how to freeze).

Side view of a single black bean burger on a bun, fully dressed, sitting on newsprint

Top your black bean burger with your favorite toppings and enjoy!!

The post Black Bean Burgers appeared first on Budget Bytes.

collard greens with cornmeal dumplings

One of my favorite cookbook purchases of the last year is Toni Tipton-Martin‘s Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking. It’s one of those incredible books that even from the pages of the introduction quietly…

One of my favorite cookbook purchases of the last year is Toni Tipton-Martin‘s Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking. It’s one of those incredible books that even from the pages of the introduction quietly but irrevocably pivots some of the ways you think about food. Tipton-Martin talks about growing up in the Black Beverly Hills of Los Angeles, one of several communities in the U.S. that she says are rarely discussed in the media, “an omission of black middle and upper classes that serves to stereotype African Americans as poor, uneducated, and possibly dangerous.” Growing up, she had a diverse culinary upbringing, with her mother’s homegrown fruits and vegetables at the center, but she found that culinary heritage, and the larger story of the African American food that encompasses the middle class and well-to-do “was lost in a world that confined the black experience to poverty, survival, and soul food.” She found it frustrating. With this book, she hoped to tell a multifaceted story of African American food that includes, but also looks beyond, what people call Southern and soul.

smoky soul stock with bacon swapthe vegetablesready to make the greenswash your greens

Read more »

Collard Greens

Wondering what to do with collard greens? Here’s an easy recipe for a simple side dish! Cook collards on the stovetop with onions and garlic — it’s an easy, flavorful way to eat your greens. Continue reading “Collard Greens” »

Wondering what to do with collard greens? Here's an easy recipe for a simple side dish! Cook collards on the stovetop with onions and garlic — it's an easy, flavorful way to eat your greens.

Continue reading "Collard Greens" »

Fennel Orange Salad

Here’s a refreshing and easy side dish: fennel orange salad! It pairs juicy orange and the subtle licorice essence of fennel with a citrus vinaigrette. Ready to meet our (and your) new favorite salad? Fennel orange salad! It features beautiful juicy oranges, with their vibrant color and citrusy flavor. Add to that a famous pairing: sliced raw fennel, which adds a subtle licorice essence. Throw it over greens with a few garnishes, top with a zingy homemade citrus vinaigrette, and wow! There’s so much going on flavor and texture-wise, it’s one of the most unexpectedly delicious salads we’ve ever made. Pair with rich pasta like lasagna or mac and cheese, or pizza. Or salmon. Or well….really anything! Here’s how to make it. What’s in this fennel orange salad? Fennel and orange are a famous pairing in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. You may have seen a Sicilian version that’s a big plate of oranges with sliced fennel on top. Why are these flavors often paired together? Well, the sweet citrus flavor of oranges are lovely pairing with the subtle black licorice perfume of raw fennel. It’s truly a sensory experience. (Here’s a stunning cake with that combo). Alex and I designed […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Here’s a refreshing and easy side dish: fennel orange salad! It pairs juicy orange and the subtle licorice essence of fennel with a citrus vinaigrette.

Fennel orange salad

Ready to meet our (and your) new favorite salad? Fennel orange salad! It features beautiful juicy oranges, with their vibrant color and citrusy flavor. Add to that a famous pairing: sliced raw fennel, which adds a subtle licorice essence. Throw it over greens with a few garnishes, top with a zingy homemade citrus vinaigrette, and wow! There’s so much going on flavor and texture-wise, it’s one of the most unexpectedly delicious salads we’ve ever made. Pair with rich pasta like lasagna or mac and cheese, or pizza. Or salmon. Or well….really anything! Here’s how to make it.

Fennel Orange Salad

What’s in this fennel orange salad?

Fennel and orange are a famous pairing in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. You may have seen a Sicilian version that’s a big plate of oranges with sliced fennel on top. Why are these flavors often paired together? Well, the sweet citrus flavor of oranges are lovely pairing with the subtle black licorice perfume of raw fennel. It’s truly a sensory experience. (Here’s a stunning cake with that combo). Alex and I designed this salad as a green salad featuring that well-known pairing. Here’s what’s in this fennel orange salad:

  • Oranges: Use a mix of blood orange and Cara Cara for the best color and flavor contrasts. You’ll use a fancy technique to “supreme” the orange into sections (see below).
  • Fennel: Grab a bulb of fennel in the produce section! Learn more about fennel here.
  • Leafy greens: Use whatever type of baby greens you’d like! It’s nice to have a mix to vary texture and flavor. If you’re using baby kale, arugula or spinach, make sure to use some other milder greens or lettuces for contrast.
  • Shallot & pistachios: Shallot is a milder version of red onion: here it’s thinly sliced into rings. Crushed pistachios add a little crunch and texture.
  • Citrus vinaigrette: Top it all off in a homemade citrus salad dressing.
Citrus vinaigrette

Important: don’t section the orange with your fingers!

OK, before we start! Do not section the oranges with your fingers and throw the sections on top. This method is great for snacking, but a no-no for salads. Why? Sectioning the orange with your fingers keeps on the pith, which makes it very hard to eat with a knife and fork. For salads, there’s a different method entirely for sectioning an orange. It’s called…surpreming.

Yes, that’s right! There’s a fancy French method for cutting an orange for a salad called “cutting an orange into supremes”. It makes for perfectly peeled sections without the pith that are easy to eat! These are lovely for salads like this fennel orange salad or our Simple Citrus Salad.

Step 2: Cut off the peel

How to cut an orange…into supremes!

Here’s the basic concept, which you can find at How to Cut an Orange:

  • Step 1: Slice off the ends. Use a large chef’s knife to slice off both ends of the orange. Make sure you’ve cut through all of the pith and can see some of the orange flesh.
  • Step 2: Cut off the peel. Angle your knife and follow the round shape of the orange to remove the peel. Be careful not to cut too much of the orange flesh away.
  • Step 3: Cut away a segment (inside the membrane lines). Cut right on the inside of each membrane line to remove a segment. You don’t want to cut right on the membrane, but just inside of it. Make the two angled cuts, and the segment will pop right out.
How to cut an orange into supremes

Top it off with citrus salad dressing!

The last part of this fennel orange salad is a zingy citrus salad dressing that seals the deal. It features both orange and lemon, but it’s well balanced and is the perfect dressing to elevate the salad to a “next level” side dish. Here’s what’s in it:

  • Orange juice + zest
  • Lemon juice
  • Dijon mustard
  • Maple syrup
  • Olive oil

You’ll whisk the first four ingredients together, then whisk in the olive oil one tablespoon at a time until a creamy emulsion forms. It’s perfect for this salad, or throw-together salads on weeknights!

Fennel orange salad

What this fennel orange salad goes with? Everything.

This fennel orange salad is so darn versatile, it’s one of our new favorites! It’s right up there in our green salad hall of fame, with this Favorite Chopped Salad, Easy Arugula Salad, and Spinach Apple Salad. Here are some great recipes that would pair well:

This fennel orange salad recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant based, dairy-free, gluten-free.

Print
Fennel orange salad

Fennel Orange Salad

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  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4
Print Recipe

Description

Here’s a refreshing and easy side dish: fennel orange salad! It pairs juicy orange and the subtle licorice essence of fennel with a citrus vinaigrette.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 recipe Citrus Vinaigrette
  • 1 fennel bulb
  • 1 large shallot
  • 2 small oranges: blood orange or Cara Cara
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios
  • 5 ounces baby mixed greens (about 5 cups)*

Instructions

  1. Make the Citrus Vinaigrette.
  2. Thinly slice the fennel and the shallot. If desired, save a few fennel fronds (the feathery green parts on top of the stalk) for a garnish.
  3. Cut oranges into sections or “supremes” following How to Cut an Orange.
  4. To serve, place the greens on a plate. Top with oranges, fennel, shallot, and chopped pistachios (and fennel fronds if desired). Drizzle with dressing and serve.

Notes

*Use whatever type you’d like! It’s nice to use a mixture of greens to vary texture and flavor. If you’re using baby kale, arugula or spinach, make sure they’re mixed with some other milder greens. Mixed lettuces are also nice, as they add a refreshing crunch.

  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Raw
  • Cuisine: Salad

Keywords: Fennel Orange Salad, Orange Salad, Citrus Salad Dressing, Citrus Vinaigrette,

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Freezer-Friendly Greens & Tofu Scramble Wraps

It’s always my goal to create recipes that aren’t just tasty, but that are doable. For me, part of “doable” is ingredients that are readily available. This isn’t just about you, it’s also about me—I live in a smallis…

It’s always my goal to create recipes that aren’t just tasty, but that are doable. For me, part of “doable” is ingredients that are readily available. This isn’t just about you, it’s also about me—I live in a smallish town and I don’t want to be schlepping all over the place for ingredients either. But I was working on a tofu scramble for a while and it just wasn’t coming together and I finally had to acknowledge the fact that I needed to go to Raleigh to get some nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is a flaky little deactivated yeast that tastes like cheese. So it’s great for vegan cooking. It’s a good source of vitamins (some brands, like Bob’s Red Mill, are fortified with Vitamin B12) and even contains some protein. If, like me, you can’t find it at your local grocery store, you can buy nutritional yeast on Amazon. But since I needed the nutritional yeast right away, I didn’t order it online and went to Earth Fare, 40 minutes away, to get it. I got home and since I was going to use it the next day, I decided to leave it on the countertop, as I sometimes […]

Delicata Squash Salad

Delicata squash salad is a perfect fall or winter side dish! This one features caramelized roasted squash, pomegranate seeds, and a tangy vinaigrette. Looking for a stunning fall or winter side dish? Enter: delicata squash salad! This is no ordinary green side salad. This is something special, a hearty and healthy salad perfect for entertaining. Then again, you could easily whip it up to make a filling meal out of a weeknight soup. It stars Alex and my very favorite squash: the delicata, which is brilliantly sweet and has edible skin (no peeling necessary!). Roast up that squash in just 20 minutes, and in the meantime prep those refreshing pomegranate seeds, crunchy pistachios, and tangy honey mustard dressing. Yep, it’s a stunner. Ready to get cooking? Tips on making delicata squash salad This delicata squash salad is all about contrasts, from the caramelized squash to the crisp baby greens, the pop of the pomegranate and the creamy goat cheese dollops. It’s perfect for an occasion like Thanksgiving or Christmas. But now that we have this in our arsenal, Alex and I love the idea of using it in a simpler weeknight dinner too. Here are a few notes on making […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, Vegetarian Recipes

Delicata squash salad is a perfect fall or winter side dish! This one features caramelized roasted squash, pomegranate seeds, and a tangy vinaigrette.

Delicata Squash Salad

Looking for a stunning fall or winter side dish? Enter: delicata squash salad! This is no ordinary green side salad. This is something special, a hearty and healthy salad perfect for entertaining. Then again, you could easily whip it up to make a filling meal out of a weeknight soup. It stars Alex and my very favorite squash: the delicata, which is brilliantly sweet and has edible skin (no peeling necessary!). Roast up that squash in just 20 minutes, and in the meantime prep those refreshing pomegranate seeds, crunchy pistachios, and tangy honey mustard dressing. Yep, it’s a stunner. Ready to get cooking?

Delicata squash salad

Tips on making delicata squash salad

This delicata squash salad is all about contrasts, from the caramelized squash to the crisp baby greens, the pop of the pomegranate and the creamy goat cheese dollops. It’s perfect for an occasion like Thanksgiving or Christmas. But now that we have this in our arsenal, Alex and I love the idea of using it in a simpler weeknight dinner too. Here are a few notes on making this healthy salad, and how to speed up prep:

  • Squash takes about 30 minutes total to roast (see below). This is the longest lead time item of the salad, so make sure to get this going right away! Or to make it ahead, you can roast the squash ahead of time. Just store it refrigerated and reheat in a 400 degree oven until it’s warm (5 to 10 minutes).
  • Buy pomegranate seeds to speed up prep. Usually we buy a pomegranate, but this time Alex and I were able to find pomegranate seeds at the grocery and it was super speedy.
  • Homemade dressing is a must. Whatever you do, don’t skimp on the homemade dressing! This one uses our easy Honey Mustard Dressing, which is simple to memorize. Another great option is this Best Balsamic Dressing.
Roasted delicata squash

How to roast delicata squash

Once you’ve learned the main steps on how to roast delicata squash, you’ll be able to do it by memory! It’s so simple, and you can also serve it on its own as delicata squash “fries”. Here’s how to roast delicata squash:

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
  • Slice the squash in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Slice it into 1/2-inch half moon shapes. We like using 2 medium to large squash, about 2 pounds, which fits comfortably on one baking sheet.
  • Mix with olive oil and kosher salt (1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt per 2 pounds).
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until tender — no need to stir!
Delicata squash salad

How to seed a pomegranate

If you can find pomegranate seeds at the grocery, buy them! It’s a nice time saver in this delicata squash salad recipe. But if you can only find a whole pomegranate, that works too! It does take a little time to seed them, but the advantage is that seeds from a fresh pomegranate do stay fresher longer. Here’s how to seed a pomegranate:

  • Cut the pomegranate in quarters and place them in a large bowl of water.
  • Under the water, start to gently pull out the seeds with your fingers. Eventually you’ll be able to turn the peel inside out to extract the seeds closest to the outer skin.
  • As you work, the pomegranate seeds will sink to the bottom, while the white pith from the fruit will float to the top.
  • When all of the seeds are extracted, skim off the white pith and strain out the water.
Salad with delicata squash

Variations on this delicata squash salad

There are a few ways to change up this delicata squash salad to make it fit your tastes! Here are some suggestions:

Delicata squash

Delicata squash nutrition

Lastly…what’s the nutrition in delicata squash? As you might guess, it’s full of nutrients. Per Harvard School of Public Health, squash is full of beta carotene, protein, Vitamin C & B6, potassium, and fiber.

There are no studies to cite on specific health benefits of squash, but here’s what we can say! A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, and have a positive effect on blood sugar to keep your appetite in check. So: this delicata squash salad is part of a healthy diet!

This delicata squash salad is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, omit the goat cheese and use maple syrup in the dressing.

Print

Delicata Squash Salad

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6
Print Recipe

Description

Delicata squash salad is a perfect fall or winter side dish! This one features caramelized roasted squash, pomegranate seeds, and a tangy vinaigrette.

Ingredients

  • 1 recipe Roasted Delicata Squash
  • 1 large shallot
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios
  • 5 ounces baby mixed greens (about 5 cups)
  • 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 2 tablespoons roasted salted pepitas
  • 2 ounces soft goat cheese (omit for vegan)
  • Honey Mustard Dressing (use maple syrup for vegan)

Instructions

  1. Make the Roasted Delicata Squash. (This takes about 25 to 30 minutes total; finish the remaining prep while the squash roasts. Or you can roast it in advance, store refrigerated, and reheat in a 400 degree oven until it’s warm, about 5 to 10 minutes.)
  2. Make the Honey Mustard Dressing. 
  3. Thinly slice the shallot. If needed, chop the pistachios. 
  4. To serve, place the greens on a serving plate. Top with roasted delicata squash, shallot, pistachios, pomegranate seeds, pepitas, and goat cheese dollops. Drizzle with Honey Mustard Dressing and serve. 
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Roasted
  • Cuisine: Vegetarian

Keywords: Delicata Squash Salad, Squash Salad

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Pomegranate Greens Salad with Halloumi Croutons and Spiced Orange Vinaigrette.

This halloumi pomegranate salad is your ticket to the perfect holiday meal. It’s the best starter salad EVER. Full of incredibly flavorful ingredients. Like salted honey roasted walnuts, pomegranate arils, halloumi croutons and spiced orange vinaigrette. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yep. Give me a huge plate right this second please. I’m pretty sure you guys know how I […]

The post Pomegranate Greens Salad with Halloumi Croutons and Spiced Orange Vinaigrette. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

This halloumi pomegranate salad is your ticket to the perfect holiday meal.

A pomegranate halloumi salad that's the perfect starter to your holiday meal! Drizzle with a spiced orange vinaigrette for the most festive flavor ever.

It’s the best starter salad EVER. Full of incredibly flavorful ingredients. Like salted honey roasted walnuts, pomegranate arils, halloumi croutons and spiced orange vinaigrette.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep. Give me a huge plate right this second please.

fried halloumi

I’m pretty sure you guys know how I feel about salad on Thanksgiving. You even know how my family feels about salad on Thanksgiving. We can make it and serve it but it mostly goes untouched. There are just so many good, nostalgic, classic dishes to be had and honestly? Sometimes salad just can’t even fit on the plate!

However, I’ll admit – as I’ve gotten older, I actually LIKE some salad on Thanksgiving. I know.

I KNOW. Can you believe this is the same blog? Oh my gosh, it’s crazy. 

But it’s also true – I do like some greens on Thanksgiving. Makes me feel better about myself and life in general and alllll the stuffing I consume for 48 hours. 

spiced orange vinaigrette

The kicker, though? I don’t want that salad to take up much space. On my plate OR in my stomach. I want a bit of salad, but just a light portion that doesn’t fill me up completely so I can still enjoy the million other side dishes tossed about in the kitchen. 

It’s my favorite way to make a plate!

A pomegranate halloumi salad that's the perfect starter to your holiday meal! Drizzle with a spiced orange vinaigrette for the most festive flavor ever.

So I’m verrrry excited to tell you that this is theeeee Thanksgiving salad. Or heck, Christmas salad. Or, I mean, any starter salad to a heartier meal from the months of October to March. Let’s just get that out of the way.

Last year I shared a Thanksgiving salad that was heartier – think squash, apple chips, blue cheese – lots of filling components. And all delicious ones, I may add! 

But this year? I went even simpler. This salad is SO simple. I mean, sure, in true Jessica fashion, there are a few parts that are high-maintenance. Like you actually have to make salted honey roasted walnuts (um omg yes) and sear some halloumi in a skillet for it all to come together. But still – SIMPLE.

A pomegranate halloumi salad that's the perfect starter to your holiday meal! Drizzle with a spiced orange vinaigrette for the most festive flavor ever.

It’s really just a simple greens salad where the tangy, bright pop of the pomegranate sticks out. An ideal plate would be loaded with greens and pom arils, a sprinkle of walnuts and one halloumi crouton on top. Not that I can ever have JUST ONE halloumi crouton, but you get my drift. If you’re trying to keep things light and all.

The dressing is a spiced orange vinaigrette that frankly tastes like how the most fantastic holiday scented candle smells. Don’t let that freak you out.

It has a hint of spiced, freshly squeeze orange juice and zest, and it’s festive AF (isn’t that what the kids say?) for the last few months of the year. It’s super delicious!

You can make the components of this salad ahead of time, though some people like freshly fried halloumi. But if you’re in a pinch and (like me) making 14 other dishes on Thanksgiving day, attempting like mad to serve them all warm at once, you can totally do it.

There is so.much.flavor.

A pomegranate halloumi salad that's the perfect starter to your holiday meal! Drizzle with a spiced orange vinaigrette for the most festive flavor ever.

Pomegranate Halloumi Salad

Pomegranate Greens Salad with Halloumi Croutons and Spiced Orange Vinaigrette.

A pomegranate halloumi salad that’s the perfect starter to your holiday meal! Drizzle with a spiced orange vinaigrette for the most festive flavor ever.

  • ¾ cup raw walnuts
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons honey
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 (8 ounce) block halloumi cheese, (sliced)
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 8 cups spring greens + arugula mix
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ⅔ cup pomegranate arils

spiced orange vinaigrette

  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
  • 1 shallot diced
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place the walnuts in a bowl. Whisk together the honey and cinnamon and pour it over the walnuts, tossing multiple times to coat each one. Spread the walnuts on the baking sheet and sprinkle with sea salt. Roast for 10 to 15 minutes, tossing once or twice, until fragrant and golden. Remove the walnuts from the oven and let them cool.
  3. While the walnuts are roasting, make the halloumi. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the halloumi dry with a paper towel. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the skillet. Add the halloumi and cook until golden brown on each side, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the halloumi and place it on a plate. I like to cut the halloumi slices in half so they resemble croutons! If you want the halloumi to be warm when serving, you can assemble the salad first!
  4. Place the greens in a large bowl and toss with the salt and pepper. Add on the pomegranate seeds, walnuts and halloumi. Drizzle with the orange dressing and serve.

spiced orange vinaigrette

  1. Whisk together the orange juice, vinegar, honey, mustard, orange zest, shallot, garlic, allspice, salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil until emulsified. This keeps great in the fridge for a few days!

A pomegranate halloumi salad that's the perfect starter to your holiday meal! Drizzle with a spiced orange vinaigrette for the most festive flavor ever.

And it’s pretty too! Autumn jewels!

The post Pomegranate Greens Salad with Halloumi Croutons and Spiced Orange Vinaigrette. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.