Healthy dinners for the week!

Don't worry, I am not done baking, there will be plenty in future weeks! I decided to change things up this week after all of my Pinterest recipe hunting recently. This weekend, I made 2 delicious dishes to use for lunches and dinner this week. The first came directly from a Pinterest recipe I found for Goat Cheese and Spinach Mashed Sweet Potatoes. The second came from the veggie burger ideas I found. I was determined to use the bag of lentils I have had stored in the pantry and found this great recipe from Food and Wine for Cumin Spiced Red Lentil Burgers. I adapted this second recipe to fit my taste and I used regular lentils instead of red. The burgers were no quick cook, but the result of both is some nomtastic healthy meals all week!

Lentil Veggie Burgers



Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups red lentils

1/2 cup onion, chopped

2 large carrots, chopped

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 large cloves of garlic, minced

1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp marjoram

1/2 tsp cumin

pinch red pepper flakes

cracked black pepper

3/4 cup bread crumbs

2 eggs, lightly beaten

*For my burgers, I decided not to go the curry route, but used marjoram, cumin, and red pepper instead. So good!

1. In a medium saucepan, cook lentils as directed until water has nearly evaporated and lentils are cooked completely. Drain any excess water.

2. In a pan, heat 1-2 Tbsp of oil. Add onions and cook until soft.
3. Add garlic and carrots. Cook 3-4 minutes until soft.
4. Add celery and red pepper to soften.

5. Add spices, stir and coat veggies. Remove from heat.
6. Add veggie mixture to lentils. Add bread crumbs, parsley, egg and stir.

7. Form into patties.

At this point, you can cover and refrigerate for a day or two, or continue on!

8. Preheat your broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Brush both sides of patties with olive oil. Broil lightly on both sides for 4-5 minutes.

Goat Cheese and Spinach Mashed Sweet Potatoes



Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 ounce goat cheese
1 cup baby spinach, chopped
1 shallot, sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup milk
salt and pepper
2-3 sprigs of dried thyme

1. Bring a pot of water with sweet potatoes to a boil. Cook for 15 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside.

2. While potatoes cook, saute shallots in olive oil until softened and brown.

3. Combine cooked potatoes, sauteed shallots, spinach, goat cheese, milk, and thyme in a medium bowl.

4. Mash together with a potato masher or fork.

5. Add salt and pepper, and mash again.

A delicious and healthy meal! The recipe for the lentil burgers made enough to keep some out for the week, and freeze a whole bunch more. The burgers can be used as actual burgers, or similar to falafel on a salad or as a side dish. I put them on a bed of spinach, with the mashed sweet potatoes on the side. The lentil burgers are so meaty and flavorful. You really don't notice that they are made with lentils and veggies. They are delicious and nutritious!

Nom!!