Black Bean Quinoa Burgers & Corn Feta Salad

I am a huge veggie burger lover!!  They are so tasty, and they don't make you feel as full and heavy as a real beef burger.  Plus, it's a kinder meal ;) .. I get veggie burgers in restaurants all the time, but I have yet to find a patty I really like to eat at home so I decided to make my own.  This one is pretty spicy!  My husband and I love spice so you may want to make a few changes if you are making this recipe for kids.  

Ingredients:
1 can 15 oz black beans drained and rinsed
1/2 cup quinoa
1 cup veggie broth
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
1/2 green bell pepper
3 tablespoons-ish red onion
2 cloves garlic
3 teaspoons Fiagaro Hickory Smoke Flavor (you could use liquid smoke too)
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 1/2 tablespoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
Buns
Any toppings you'd like

Cook the quinoa according to instructions.  I did 1/2 cup quinoa with 1 cup veggie broth.  Bring it to a boil then simmer covered for 15 minutes.  Cut your green bell pepper and onion into slices and put in a chopper or mini food processor with the cloves of garlic.  Process until minced.  Mash your drained, rinsed black beans with a fork until they are pretty mashed, but you may leave a few whole.  Add the minced garlic/onion/pepper mixure and all seasonings and spices.  Stir until blended well.  Next add the bread crumbs, quinoa and egg, and mix with your hands then form into 4 large patties.  Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes flipping halfway between.  I added a slice of mild cheddar cheese and chipotle barbeque sauce on ours.

Go here for the corn and feta salad.  I cut the recipe in half and used the Trader Joes roasted corn and dried cilantro instead of fresh.  Those are the only changes I made, and it turned out delicious!  I'm going to use the left overs for a southwest salad! Mmmmmm

Cheers, ya'll!
Emyli xo

New Year's Eve Romantic Dinner for Two.. Fancy on the Cheap

My husband and I love a good night out with friends, but on New Year's Eve, we'd rather stay home.. It's safer, we can spend quality time together and we can indulge in a really nice bottle of wine.

I try to make our special occasion dinners at home a little more festive..  I cook a lot so if it's a holiday, I like to make it stand out a little more.  However, I don't like to go all out and buy lots of fancy stuff so I try to get creative and use what I've got and only buy flowers and maybe one or two other things..

To make it extra special on the cheap, I did a burlap runner which I had because I stock pile burlap in my craft closet.. You never know when you'll need that stuff, right?  I used our silver chargers and regular plates that we usually use and added our nice napkins that I only bring on on occasion..  I printed out a little print that said "Cheers", wrapped silver washi tape to the napkin to make a shiny napkin ring, and I used a mini clothes pin I dressed in glitter to attached my print to the napkin..  I also did the same with the champagne flutes with a sign that said "pop fizz clink" and put pearl white gumballs in those until it was time to serve the champagne.  My centerpiece was hydrangea flowers from Market Street at 3 bundles for $12, and the vase was half off at Hobby Lobby.. The other crystal vases I already had..  I used silver votive candles that were on sale after Christmas, and I printed up a pretty menu and framed it to complete the 'fancy' dinner.. I had everything on hand except for the vase, flowers, mini clothespins, gumballs, and the little print ups I made.. I don't consider that too much to buy to make a special, memorable night at home..

Happy Celebrating, y'all!

Emyli xo