I may have to change the Meatless Monday name to Meatless Oneday. Sure I like the alliterative nature of the name, but I think Oneday has its own ring to it, too, right?
Recently our goal of foregoing meat for dinner at least one day of week met some challenges. Before I made the switch to being gluten- free we simply made some comforting pasta dish. Before you tell me they make gluten- free pasta, go out and buy a box; then we'll talk. It ranges in price from $4-$9 a box! On top of that, many of the brands I've tried taste like Elmer's glue. I'm sure there is something out there that resembles pasta but I haven't found it yet. If you do, fill me in.
At any rate, I had to do some searching for great recipes that satisfy both of our meatless requirements. These cousins of falafel hit the spot. They are super easy to make, full of protein, and incredibly satisfying. They were in the August, 2005 issue of Cooking Light and named their Best Vegetarian recipe.
Happy Meatless Oneday!
Falafel with Avocado Spread
Cooking Light, August 2005, recipe by Ann Taylor Pittman
Patties:
1 15 ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup finely crushed corn tortilla chips
2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large egg white
1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil
Spread:
1/4 cup mashed avocado
2 tablespoons finely chopped tomato ( I used salsa)
1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
To prepare patties, place pinto beans in a medium bowl; partially mash with a fork. Add cheese and next 5 ingredients (through egg white); stir until well combined. Shape bean mixture into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) oval patties.
- Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until patties are browned and thoroughly heated.
- To prepare spread, combine avocado and next 5 ingredients (through salt), stirring well. Place 1 patty in each pita half. Spread about 2 tablespoons avocado spread over patty in each pita half; top with onions and greens
You can stuff these into pita, wrap them in tortillas or serve them on a bed of greens.