Friday, February 4, 2011

Black Bean....Pancakes!

The votes are in! The two most popular names for my granola bar were Candid Bar and Complete. There were also several votes for Gina Bar and Ceres. The two I like best are Complete and Ceres (Ceres means "goodness of agriculture and grains" in Latin). You can still give me your opinions if you haven't yet, as I'm still deciding....


I've been completely preoccupied lately by my granola bars, my e-book (I'm about half way done already!) and house decorating (I met with our decorator yesterday and I'm so excited to get the ball rolling), but I'm still making time to cook healthy, yet simple meals for dinners and lunches. Once a week I take about 90 minutes to prepare meat, vegetables, and all of the components for Nick and my lunches for work the following week. For about a month I was making Nick bean burritos with whole wheat tortillas, refried beans, cheese and salsa, but the other day I decided to try something with my food processor.

I remembered I had put this in Nick's stocking:

Nick claims he "will eat anything that has bacon in it", so I just had to give this a try! It was sort of a joke, but at the same time, it tastes really good.

I decided to create a new bean burger recipe. After creating the bean burgers I realized they were more like bean pancakes. Here is the recipe;


Black Bean Pancakes

Ingredients
(Makes ~ 9 pancakes)

1 can black beans (15 ounces)
3 cups old fashioned oats
2 large handfuls of spinach
1 egg
Any seasoning you choose

** I added a bit of salt and some of this bacon flavoring, which also has salt. This was not included in the nutrient analysis below. **


Instructions

Drain the can of beans, but leave a little liquid (don't drain them until bone dry!). Add to your food processor with two cups of oats and the two handfuls of spinach. Puree until smooth. Add your seasonings, puree again. Next, add the last cup of oats, but do not puree, simply mix them into the bean and oat puree.

Get a skillet and heat it to medium heat. Drop several clumps/balls (a little more than 1/4 cup each) onto the skillet and let the one side get cooked. After about 30 seconds flip the clumps/balls and then flatten the clumps with your spatula and cook on other side for about a minute. Then flip to other side for another 30 seconds. Finished!

Nutrition Facts
(Serving Size: 1 pancake)

I know they do not look appealing, at all, but they were delicious!

** No, I do not always buy organic ketchup. This ketchup, however, happened to be the same price as the conventional, so I bought it! **

Question: Have you ever set out to create something, but then ended up creating something else instead?!

17 comments :

  1. There is a line of juice called Ceres I think. These look great. I am so anal that I often stick to a recipe like glue.

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  2. I love the Candid Bar idea myself! And a decorator?! I am jealous! You guys are going all out! Your home will be picture-perfect :)

    I don't know where you find the time, you have been BUSY!! If you guys don't have plans, you're welcome to come over for Superbowl!

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  3. Hey Gina,

    What program do you use to make your nutrition labels like that? Just curious! Thanks!

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  4. I've been in a slight cooking rut lately trying to figure out what I want to make...Burgers are such a great idea! And maybe some baked fries if I'm feeling extra inspired. Thanks for the nice and easy recipe!

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  5. My husband would get such a kick out of that Bacon Salt. I must get it for him!

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  6. oh wow! What a creative idea...I am for sure going to make these! Thanks for the recipe :)

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  7. Oh I like the name Complete Gina! Sounds most appealing to me, especially as a dietitian. I would pick up a bar that had that name just to see if it was complete! So I really like that name!

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  8. The pancakes sound great! And I bet the ketchup made them even better. Yes, I am obsessed with ketchup, but I try to control myself... :)

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  9. booooooooooooooooo!! hahahahaha i'm kidding. nobody liked my "grab n granola" hahahaaha i'm only kidding.

    i'm excited for your bars!

    black bean pancakes sound divineeee i think i'd want to make them chocolate tasty haha

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  10. I LOVE black beans..this recipe sounds great!!

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  11. this looks so good... so nutritious! I haven't created any new meal for a long time.... creativity is lacking here! ;)

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  12. It sounds like you're super busy! Can't wait to see how your house decorations turn out!

    My brother is the exact same way with bacon. :)

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  13. I think i really like "Ceres" for the name of your Granola bar. And I believe you about the bean pancake being good. I might give your recipe a try ;)

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  14. You totally tricked me with the title! I was so excited to check out a breakfast black bean pancake... I'm still excited for this one though! I love all the oats and spinach added in. Mmmm with some ketchup, yum :)

    I like candid bars. They are so you and something unique too.

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