Challenge! Go vegetarian 1 day a week - Week 5!

How's it going out there veg heads?!  How have the past few weeks been?  We're almost half way thru this challenge.....are you still with me??  If so, I've got some delicious recipes for you!! 

Quinoa Crunch w/Yogurt

-1 C Quinoa (uncooked, rinsed well & drained)
-1/4 C Whole Flaxseed
-1 TBSP Honey (To make it vegan, use Agave      nectar)
-1 TBSP Olive Oil
-1TBSP Cinnamon

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 375 deg. F oven until lightly browned. (You might stir every 10 minutes for about 25 - 30 minutes.)
3. Let cool, crumble.

MAKES EIGHT 2 Tbsp SERVINGS.  Keeps for one week in a air tight container.

Suggested serving: add 2 Tbsp of topping to 1/2 cup nonfat Greek/Soy yogurt, along with fresh berries. Drizzle honey on top.

Number of Servings: 8

APPLE PEANUT SPINACH SALAD
(Ok, the flavors in this sound "out there" but, together, it makes the most delicious, complex tasting salad.  Perfect for company!)

Ingredients

• 2 (6 ounce) packages fresh baby spinach
• 1 medium apple, chopped
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts (you can sub pecans)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chutney
• 3/4 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, apple, raisins and peanuts. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the remaining ingredients; shake well. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat. Yum!

One serving (3/4 cup) equals 205 calories, 12 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 245 mg sodium, 23 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 4 g protein. 

BLACK BEAN BURGERS

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 1/2 onion, cut into wedges
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce (I left this out as I don't like spicy food)
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs

Directions

1. If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.
2. In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
3. In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.
4. In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
5. Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.
6. If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

One sandwich equals 268 calories, 3 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 20 mg cholesterol, 475 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrate, 8 g fiber, 20 g protein. *Using a 100 calorie bun*