southwestern pinto bean burgers

Ingredients

Burgers:
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons minced seeded jalapeño pepper
2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (8 3/4-ounce) can no salt-added whole-kernel corn, drained

Chipotle Mayonnaise:
1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1 teaspoon canned minced chipotle chile in adobo sauce

Remaining ingredients:
1 tablespoon canola oil
4 (1 1/2-ounce) whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted
4 romaine lettuce leaves
avocado, sliced
tomato, sliced
red onion, sliced

Directions

To prepare burgers, combine the first 10 ingredients in a large bowl. Add pinto beans and corn; partially mash with a fork. Divide bean mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping each portion into a 3 1/2-inch patty, and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

To prepare chipotle mayonnaise, combine mayonnaise and 1 teaspoon chipotle in a small bowl; set aside.

Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties to pan, and cook 4 minutes on each side or until thoroughly heated. Place patties on bottom halves of buns; top each patty with 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, 1 lettuce leaf, and top half of bun.

*Adapted from Cooking Light

grilled corn and potato chowdah

Ingredients

1 pound small red potatoes, quartered

1 tablespoon salt, divided

3 tablespoons softened butter, divided

6 ears shucked corn

Cooking spray

3/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

3 cups 2% reduced-fat milk

1/2 cup half-and-half

2 thyme sprigs

3 tablespoons finely chopped chives

1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 

Instructions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

2. Place potatoes and 2 teaspoons salt in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Let potatoes stand in hot water 5 minutes. Drain; cut into 1/4-inch cubes.

3. Melt 1 tablespoon butter; brush evenly over corn. Place corn on grill rack coated with canola oil. Place potatoes on a grill pan. Grill corn and potatoes 15 minutes or until slightly charred, turning occasionally. Cool corn slightly; cut kernels from cobs. Place 1 cup corn kernels in a food processor; process until smooth.

5. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add remaining 1 teaspoon salt and red pepper; cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Stir in potatoes, remaining corn kernels, pureed corn, milk, half-and-half, and thyme sprigs; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard thyme sprigs. Stir in chives and remaining ingredients.

*Adapted from Cooking Light

corn salad

Here's a delicious recipe from my Aunt!
Makes a perfect side for a BBQ or Mexican dinner...

Ingredients

6 ears of corn

2 tbsp. olive oil

salt and freshly ground pepper

1 cup roasted red peppers, finely chopped.

1 large jalapeno, seeded and minced

2 tbsp. basil, chopped

1 tbsp. mint, chopped

1 tbsp. fresh lime juice

Instructions

1. Brush corn with oil and season with salt and pepper.

2. Wrap in foil and roast until tender, about 1 hour in 350 degree F oven.

3. Cut kernels from cobs into a bowl. Add the roasted red peppers, jalapeno, basil, mint, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.

three bean chili

Ingredients

1 lb. of lean ground beef, turkey, or bison
2 white onions, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
5 cloves of minced garlic
1/4 cup chili powder
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tbsp. cumin
2 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 (15.5 oz) cans of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 (15.5 oz) cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15.5 oz) can of cannelinni beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15.5 oz) can of corn, drained and rinsed OR half bag of frozen corn
2 (28 oz) cans of crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 tbsp. Tabasco sauce (or more to taste)
salt

Instructions

1. Brown meat in Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Once meat is just browned, add onion, red bell pepper and garlic. Cook until onion is soft.
3. Add all dry spices. Cook until well incorporated, about 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
4. Add beans, corn, tomatoes, chicken stock, and Tabasco sauce.
5. Salt to taste.
5. Cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes until beans are soft.