Recipes

So, since we've been married, I have been experimenting with different recipes and discovered that I love cooking! Michael has gotten used to hearing me ask "Dear, is it OK if I experiment on tonight's dinner?" He then tells me (after he tastes it) whether or not it was a success. I was surprised when he actually was willing to try veggie burgers! :) Here are a couple of my "successes":

Rice-Veggie Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 cup packed cooked rice
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. dried chopped chives
• 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1/4 cup salted roasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
• Vegetable oil, for brushing
• Warmed pocket pitas (or fried tortilla shells with the sides folded in - I didn't have pocket pitas at the time)
• Lettuce
• Tomato slices
• Sour cream
• Salsa

Directions:

1. In a food processor, pulse three-fourths of the rice with the cheese and salt until slightly pasty. Add the chives, peas, and seeds and pulse until the peas are coarsely chopped. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and knead in the remaining rice. Using moistened hands (the mixture will be very sticky), form the mixture into four 4-inch patties, about 3/4 inch thick, pressing to compact.
2. Preheat a grill pan or nonstick skillet. Brush the burgers with oil and grill over moderate heat until golden and crusty, about 5 minutes. Carefully flip them and grill until heated through and golden, about 5 minutes longer. Stuff the burgers into the pitas or tortillas with lettuce, tomato slices, sour cream, and salsa. Enjoy!

Tortilla Soup
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rice
• 5 cups water
• 1 can or 2 small tomatoes, diced
• 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. minced dried onion
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder (or up to 1 tsp)
• 1/2 tsp. dried chopped chives (or up to 1 tsp)
• 1/8 tsp. dried cayenne pepper
• 1 can chicken, 2 diced chicken breasts, or 1/2 pound ground beef, cooked
• 1/2-1 cup tortilla chips, crushed
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup red pasta sauce
• 1 can chili beans (optional)

Directions

1. Place rice, water, tomatoes, bouillon, and spices in large pan. Bring to a boil.
2. Lower heat to medium-low. Add meat, cover, simmer 20 minutes.
3. Add tortilla chips, sour cream, pasta sauce, and chili beans (if desired). Cover and simmer 5 minutes or until warm throughout.
4. Serve with more tortilla chips.