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cmckenna's Profile

Website: http://www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com

Location: Texas

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The Ten Most Recent Posts By cmckenna

From Talk

How do you make a good black bean burger?

Last week, I ventured into trying to make a tasty black bean burger. I found a couple of recipes on the internet and both were okay, but really nothing special.

Anyone make black bean burgers - or burgers with any variety of beans? If so, what can I do to punch up the basic: beans, onions, garlic, breadcrumbs, cheese optional, jalapeno, optional.

It all tastes fine, but I want something really delicious.

From Talk

Gifting foods - or how to send a long-distance hug

My sister and brother-in-law have had a rough couple of weeks. She had a melanoma removed and skin grafts (all is well but she is sore) and he just had a close encounter with a car while riding his motorcycle - he is okay too, but really, really sore.

If they were close by, I'd be making meals, taking over beer and wine, etc. But I am in Texas and they are in Florida.

Does anyone have ideas on good food gifts to send long distance? I am game to make something or to order something online. I am just not sure what would be good. He is going to be fairly inactive for a while until he heals enough to start therapy, and she's working full time (at Williams Sonoma) so I think a little food contribution would be appreciated.

From Talk

So, how likely are you to make those Sloppy Joe's?

I just opened the Serious Eats site, and saw the recipe for Sloppy Joe's. That recipe sounds good, but I immediately dug out MY recipe for sloppy joe's to compare the two, and decide how I'll make SJ's this week.

Now, I haven't made SJ's in years, maybe 10 or more, so clearly this article made an impact.

So my questions are:

How many of you decided to make that recipe soon, like this week?

Who will make sloppy joe's today? Who will make sloppy joe's, but using their own recipe or creativity?

From Talk

What sides go well with braised duck?

I am going to make my first braised duck tonight - for an early celebration. What side dishes go well with duck?

From Talk

Sushi - in Manhattan

I'm coming to Manhattan this week and have reservations at Nobu, however I've seen very mixed reviews of Nobu.

So, I am looking for alternative restaurants for Sushi

From Talk

NYC - To eat at a food cart or not to eat, that is the question.

1. Do you eat at the food carts that dot NYC streets? If so, what do you like and what do you avoid?

2. I would also love to know where to get a really good hot dog.

From Talk

How do you decide what to order at an unfamiliar restaurant?

When you are visiting an upscale restaurant for the first time, what do you order, and/or, how do you decide what to order?

Do you order the specials?

Do you ask the wait staff for their recommendations?

I am about to try three great restaurants 3-star or better, and don't want to feel overwhelmed by the menu choices. I am going to look at the menus online but am conscious that the menus change.

Any suggestions?

From Talk

NYC - Manhattan Recommendations

I am going to NYC with family. I get to choose two "nice" dinners out - price really isn't an issue. I've been reading the lists of top NYC restaurants and, of course, they all sound fabulous. I am thinking of La Bernaden and Babbo - but I am not married to either of them.

and

What about small cafes for breakfast and lunch in Manhattan?
Thanks

The Ten Most Recent Comments By cmckenna

From Talk

How do you make a good black bean burger?

wow - do the sweet potatoes cook in the few minutes it takes to cook the BBBs?

I am making a pot of beans now and today's test is the BB cakes with masa harina.

From Talk

How do you make a good black bean burger?

I'll be glad to give you feedback. My current batch of BBB's will run out tomorrow so I'll be making some new ones on thursday or Friday. What I would like to do is try each of the recommendations and see how it goes. I am pretty sure I can't do 2 eggs to a can of beans - sorry bitchincamero. I bet egg lovers would think that was a great idea - Thank you for offering your help. and I do love cilantro so that will be an excellent addition.

From Talk

How do you make a good black bean burger?

any substitutes for the eggs - I don't care for them and unless it is heavily spiced, the taste is too much for me.

From Talk

Gifting foods - or how to send a long-distance hug

These are all such great suggestions. I had to laugh at the Elgin's sausage - Elgin is 2 hours from me, It is so easy to forget something simple and local like that good sausage.

I also overlooked doing something simple like baking cookies or perhaps sending coffee and biscotti - and I have a great biscotti recipe.

I had never heard of the Lobsta Gram - I have to admit that one really looks interesting.

I am going to look through the sites and see what makes sense.

Whatever I pick this time, I now have some really cool resources for future food gifting - and I so appreciate you all taking the time to give me suggestions.

From Talk

Kitchen timers

I have a little digital thermometer that I got at Radio Shack - it has a magnet so it sticks to the fridge, it has a clip so I can clip it to my pocket or apron, and it is easy to use - not sure what it cost - maybe $10?

From Talk

I can't eat ------ like I used to!

New Mexican chili :(

I grew up on it, and could eat it every day - but now when I visit Santa Fe and load up on food from The Shed or Pasqual's, my poor belly aches like it is raw on the inside.

I still eat it, every delicious spicy bite, but my body doesn't tolerate it. That is truly sad.

From Talk

Raw foods- what does that mean??

There are some raw food cookbooks - my memory is that Charlie Trotter did one, or helped with one. The foods look gorgeous, but generally have quite a bit of prep.

I have a friend who brought a raw tartlet to dinner, it was absolutely delicious - I wished she had made a tart instead of tartlet - I definitely wanted more.

I just checked amazon, there are a lot of books now with simpler recipes - good luck.

From Talk

How does anyone afford to travel & eat?!

I do a lot of research on which restaurants are praised and which ones people dislike - chowhound is good and serious eats is great. I generally plan my travels around the food - so I am more likely to stay someplace les expensive so I can eat more or eat at better places.

travel + good food is a joy, but can be expensive. We try to save up for trips so we have the cash to spend.

From Talk

So, how likely are you to make those Sloppy Joe's?

I always get that wrong, it is Montreal seasoning, not Monterey. Probably 2 t not one T.

From Talk

So, how likely are you to make those Sloppy Joe's?

OK - the SJ's were delightful! I used the above recipe but changed ingredients to:

4 T mustard
4 T sweet relish
4 T Pace
pinch of red pepper flakes
paprika
1 T Monterrey seasoning
salt
pepper

I forgot to buy buns at the store so we just ate the mix out of a bowl - it was great.

BTW - I think a soy protein version would be good. I'll probably make a venison version in the next few weeks.

Responses to Comments by cmckenna

From Talk

Vegetarian holiday food

Have any pictures of that tattoo or interest in having it published?

From Talk

How do you make a good black bean burger?

wow - do the sweet potatoes cook in the few minutes it takes to cook the BBBs?

I am making a pot of beans now and today's test is the BB cakes with masa harina.

From Talk

How do you make a good black bean burger?

My favorite recipe for them is from martha stewarts "great food fast" cookbook - they used grated sweet potatoes....

From Talk

How do you make a good black bean burger?

Yeah - it acts mostly as a binder. They'll just be a bit more crumbly. Good luck :)

From Talk

How do you make a good black bean burger?

I'll be glad to give you feedback. My current batch of BBB's will run out tomorrow so I'll be making some new ones on thursday or Friday. What I would like to do is try each of the recommendations and see how it goes. I am pretty sure I can't do 2 eggs to a can of beans - sorry bitchincamero. I bet egg lovers would think that was a great idea - Thank you for offering your help. and I do love cilantro so that will be an excellent addition.

From Talk

How do you make a good black bean burger?

Not really a "burger" nor "patty" rather a "cake" but I love them (and since I'm making them tomorrow they're on my mind so get included here):

BLACK BEAN CAKES

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked black beans
1 Tbls oil (give or take)
1 Tbls minced onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 cup masa de harina (corn flour)

Directions:
Heat some oil over medium heat in a small pan. Cook onion and salt until onions are translucent, add garlic then cumin till fragrant and toasted. Combine beans and onion mix in a bowl then mash (potato masher works well here) until well combined (but still some bean chunks). Add masa slowly, letting beans absorb it before adding more. Roll dough in the palm of your hand to test and add more masa if dough sticks till it keeps a ball shape. Make 8 balls then flatten into cakes. Heat large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil or so. Fry cakes till lightly browned on each side, maybe 3 to 5 minutes a side. Top with diced tomatoes, onions, red pepper, avocado, and/or jalepeno, perhaps a dollop of sour cream to your taste. Add a lime slice to each plate.

For a black bean patty sans eggs try this:

SPICY BLACK BEAN BURGER

Ingredients:
2 cups black beans
1/2 onion, diced
1/2 red or yellow bell pepper, diced
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 serving Ener-G egg replacer (can find in a lot of stores these days)
1 cup bread crumbs or cooked brown rice
oil

Directions:
Mash beans in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and combine well. Make patties and fry in oil till lightly brown. Can be grilled at medium heat. Spice as wanted with salt, pepper, cumin, etc while mixing or before or after cooking.

I like the texture of the rice much more. I'd add a lime/cumin mayo, or roasted red pepper rouille, with a lot of onions, and don't discount the value of a great bun.

There's also this recipe for Black Lentil Burgers (with a twist) at 101 cookbooks that looks really good and has a lot of suggestions for punching it up. Again, I'd probably substitute rice or bulgar for the breadcrumbs. As one of the commentors points out, use mayo (or soy mayo) or tahini as an egg substitute. Another mentions flax which I've used successfully in baking but never tried with patties (the bonus is both the tahini and flax would add fiber and a bunch of nutrients).

Would love to hear how this all shakes out for you. :)

From Talk

How do you make a good black bean burger?

Just leave the egg out if you don't eat them....they simply act as a binder, so the patties may not hold together quite as well requiring a little more care when frying them & puting them on the grill.

From Talk

Gifting foods - or how to send a long-distance hug

Zingermans in Ann Arbor has some delicious things grouped in theme baskets, or you could put your own selection together. www.zingermans.com

From Talk

Kitchen timers

it seems like cheaper is better :) i am a clock watcher and yes i have burned things when i get distracted but i break EVVERY times i have ever had within a week. i am more clusy then you can imigine.

From Talk

Kitchen timers

Well, I found a great timer today at a hardware store. It's by West Bend and counts down in seconds, minutes, hours...has a stop watch, a strong magnetic backing, large digital display and a loud alarm.

Wish me luck with this one and thanks for all your great suggestions. I'll let you know how it works out.