frozen oceans

it was so cold today the water in luna's outside bowl froze nearly solid. save me. so i made my oats with a little extra kick from some fresh ginger to give me that warm feeling that helps you forget that your fingers and ears will be frost bitten by the time you get to school.

for these oats:
*dried prunes
*banana
*pecans
*coconut milk
*fresh ginger, grated on a microplane
*sugar
*vanilla extract

i put everything in to taste, so that is why these ideas aren't  that specific. because i think with food like this, exact measurements ruin the soul. this is the kind of food that should be whimsical and entirely created by your personal wishes.

 mixed textures 

today was a double oat day--for dinner i made veggie burgers for the first time! they were awesome. never buying another frozen patty again, that's for damn sure.

i based them off this recipe, but made a few changes...

Veggie Burgers
*1/2 cup onion, diced
*1 large garlic clove, minced
*Flax eggs: 2.5 tbsp ground flax + 1/2 cup warm water, mixed in bowl
*1 cup oats- grind 1/2 c into flour and keep the other half whole
*1.5 cups bread crumbs (I processed 3 pieces of bread until they were breadcrumb-sized)
*1 cup grated carrots
*1 cup cooked black beans, rinsed and roughly pureed or mashed
*heaping 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley (or fresh herb of choice)
*1/3 cup almonds, chopped (toasted if preferred)
*1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, (toasted if preferred)
*1 tbsp. olive oil
*1/2 tbsp miso 
*dash of soy sauce
*1.5 tsp chili powder
*1 tsp. cumin
*1 tsp. oregano
*chili sauce, to taste
*sea salt and black pepper, to taste 


i chose the frying method, so my prep went like this:

in a large skillet, sauté onions and garlic in a couple swirls of olive oil. mix the flax egg together in a small bowl and set aside for at least 10 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients

toasting the pumpkin seeds. i had no idea they popped up! lovely.

 all mixed together

place all ingredients (except spices and salt) into a large mixing bowl and stir very well. i found this to be easiest done with my hands. nothing quite like getting to really feel your food right? now add  the spices and salt to taste

with slightly wet hands, shape dough into patties. pack dough tightly, this will help it stick together

 place the burgers in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side, or until they're golden and delicious.

devour!

i covered mine with vegenaise, dijon mustard, avocado, tomatoes, kale, and daiya. try this one. its killer.

wishing you all well,

cheers *^^