Tuna-Spinach Burgers

This is one dinner mission I absolutely LOVE!  I find myself eating them even when I am not hungry, they are that good. Honestly it is RED ALERT when I'm near them.  If I had of had more spinach I would have doubled if not tripled this recipe.

Tuna-Spinach Burgers

Prep time 15 mins / total time 25 mins
Makes 4

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pkg (6 oz.) fresh baby spinach
2 cans (5 oz. each) wild caught tuna, drained
1/2 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ( I didn't have this so I used Jalepeno mustard instead)
2 tablespoons Mayonnaise
1 teaspoon seafood seasoning or seasoning of YOUR choice ( I used Herb de Provence)
1 egg
1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chickpea flour

In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil until hot.  Cook the spinach, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes, or just until wilted.  Place in a mesh colander and press the excess liquid from the spinach. Coarsely chop.

In a medium bowl, with a fork or the back of a spoon, break the tuna up into small pieces.  Add the chopped spinach, pepper, mustard, mayonnaise, seasoning mix, and egg.  Mix together until well combined.  Stir in the cheese and chickpea flour and mix well.  Shape the mixture into 4 burgers, about 3 1/2" in diameter.

In the same skillet over medium heat, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil until hot.  Cook the burgers for 6 minutes, turning once, or until golden brown and heated through.

Ok, there you have it. The official directions.
But like any other person on this little planet we call home, I don't always follow the directions exactly.  For one reason or another it just doesn't always happen.  This time around I ended up dumping all the ingredients into a bowl and mixing them up together.  It all turned out fine and nothing exploded from the slight diversion!

I also have to say, I have yet to get my spinach WILTED... it seems to always turn out cooked.  So just try to coarsely chop that spinach then!  So really big globs of spinach went into the whole mix.

I don't have a bunch of behind the scenes pictures of this adventure.  When I realized I wasn't mixing it all up in the right order I put the camera down.  Well, my hubby did snap a shop of some cooking action and then I got a shot of a plateful of the finished product (minus a small one because I couldn't help but eat it!).  Yeah... I didn't make 4 big ones, I made a few smaller ones!

Do try these and have fun.  Mix it up and add new and crazy things that sound good or just all around interesting.  Have fun with it!

Black Bean Cakes TWEAKED!

I shared this recipe 2 posts back ( Black Bean Cake ).  

I did like it as it was, but I just wanted to tweak the texture a bit and add my own touch.  I decided to follow the recipe exactly as it was, but add 1 cup almond meal.  I was thrilled with the result and could see the possibilities.  

Was it perfect?  I don't know about that, but it was every bit as chocolaty as the original.  I let a friend taste it that isn't wheat free and she really was amazed.  Her eyes got big after taking a bite and she said, "that is like a brownie!  I would eat more if you made me some."

That was totally awesome to hear!  

It is not the end to the tweaking.  I plan to make it again and try coconut flower or coconut powder ( very small granulated coconut ).  Of course I have learned that I may need to add a little extra moisture since coconut likes to absorb it all!  I can also imagine adding little chocolate chips to it too... my own little "Death By Chocolate" brownie.  Another idea would be to add a caramel topping to it.  It is endless I tell you!  

It takes time to tweak and get it how you like it.  I'm happy to say that I do like both variations I've made so far. So go on, don't be hesitant.  Climb into that Captains chair, plot a course and aim for the stars because you might just be surprised with what you get.  

Reality Bites

I want to thank everyone who has been following my little world here on the net.  I know that I've been a bit lacking on the posting front.

After my mother passed away, I have had moments where I thought, "What is the point of this blog?  There are so many others out there, who would want to follow me?"

I know I wanted to keep this about food and make it a bit entertaining.
Yes, I'm a nerd and geek and you've probably noticed with some of the Star Trek and other Sci-Fi themed verbiage.  But reality creeps in.  This is one of those times.  I almost quit this blog because there is a lot you go through mentally and emotionally when you loose the only other person in your life (besides your hubby) that you KNOW will always love you and be there for you.  So... it will be a year and a half in April that my mother passed on.  And I promise that I will continue this "Mission into wheatlessness" with a little more enthusiasm.

Soon I will be sharing an update on health and I will try give you a complete picture of what this lifestyle has done for me and my hubby.  ALSO... I have had some breakthroughs with my exploration into making chocolate brownies that are AMAZING!  I am still obsessed and lusting after the perfect wheat-free pancake so I will be sharing.

This week I hope we'll be able to make some TUNA SPINACH BURGERS.  Yeah, I know.  Some will probably find that title a total turn off, BUT!!!!!  The are so freaking addictive!!!!

Thank you for joining me on this mission.  It was a bit rocky, but I'm ready to go full light speed once again!