Happy Monday all! It was so fun to read the highlights of your week on yesterday’s post. Thanks for sharing so I can live vicariously through you all. We had some of the best spring weather today dare I say hot in the 80’s. Don’t worry, it’s supposed to be raining tomorrow to make up for our week of sunshine!
Before heading out the door, I whipped up a Healthy Egg Roll (SF + 1 WPA) – 5 points+
After my AM appointments, I stopped for a grande iced nonfat latte with caramel drizzled on top…I think I’ve officially switched to iced lattes for spring! (SF) – 3 points+
Today was a pretty big day in our office because it was my bosses aka The Big Cheese’s birthday. So, we all took him out to celebrate. Originally we planned to try someplace new called The Pearl, but, after hiking over there, we realized they are closed on Monday’s. (next time!)
He told us he loved going to Celadon last week and we all agreed and decided to walk across town. It’s a good thing we all earned our lunches before diving in!
My started this time was the Pear Endive Salad sans the stinky cheese. It came topped with these delicious candied walnuts and was tossed in a honey mustard vinaigrette.
I shared a little with my co-workers then devoured it. Crunchy, sweet, bitter, nutty and good.
I actually think their vegetarian lunch dish is a million times better than dinner! I am not sure how they do it, but, those mushrooms, tomatoes and greens are amazing in the balsamic glaze and wine broth ~ the polenta soaked it all up.
It’s a good thing because I probably would’ve licked my plate if nobody was watching..maybe, just sayin’.
I will say one of my favorite things about Meatless March is how fast and easy dinners can be….like tonight’s Spicy Black Bean Burgers and Artichokes.
I took a shortcut ~ instead of making my Homemade Spicy Vegan Black Bean Burgers, I picked up a pack of these Morning Star Spicy Black Bean Burgers. (yep, it’s been a long time since I’ve made them and I’ve come a long way with picture taking lol).
The ingredient list isn’t perfect, but, most things are recognizable.
3 points+ a burger and Simply Filling
Awhile back the folks at the Cabot Cheese Coop asked if I wanted to participate in the Cabot Cheese Board. Ummm, they already know I LOVE there cheese and how fun is it to be on a board of people who love cheese as much as I do (some maybe more!)
I already know I love their low-fat/light cheeses so I am definitely looking forward to checking out some of the other varieties like this Seriously Sharp (used on tonight’s burgers!, Pepper Jack, Horseradish (totally going in my burgers without a bun) and of course my favorite light cheese.
When I have a burger, especially a veggie burger, I want to be able to taste the cheese.
One thing I love about real deal cheeses, especially Sharp Cheddar is that a little goes a long way in packing in that cheesy goodness.
100% Real ingredients and these cheeses are sold by the farmer’s themselves.
I topped our Spicy Black Bean Burgers with 1/2 oz. Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar letting it melt a little during the last 2 minutes of cooking. 1/2 oz. = 1 points+!
I pondered if I really wanted a bun or a lettuce wrap and when it came down to it, I wanted, sweet, crisp lettuce.
So, I built my burger around it starting with a big iceberg leaf (I prefer it over butter leaf)….piling on my spicy black bean cheeseburger with a drizzle of ketchup and mustard.
Plus a few colorful toppers for flavor and crunch……
Wrap it up and dive in! I love the combination of the sweet, juicy tomatoes and onions with the crisp lettuce…but, even better, I could taste the cheese making one delicious Taco Burger 
Did I mention this is (SF + 1 WPA) – or just 4 points+
Served with artichoke “chips” ~ I think artichokes this season are going to be amazing.
Here are my stats for today:
- I definitely think walking all over town just for lunch makes you a CHAMP! Thanks Flex!
HERE IS WHAT’S ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
- Cheesy Stuffed Shells without the chicken, garlic bread, Salad
- Chickpea, Asparagus, and Corn Sauté, Brown Rice
- Chilaquiles Casserole, Swiss Chard Blend
- Italian Potato Torta, Simple Salads
- Spicy Chickpea Nachos
Breakfasts might involve my Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats with Peaches and I made up this Butternut, Barley and Cranberry salad for lunches.
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
What is on your menu this week?
I definitely think it’s casserole week and we have way too many ideas…but, everything just sounded so good. If we don’t eat it this week, I am sure I’ll roll it into next week.
Night all!
Seriously Sharp is our very favorite and there is always a block in my cheese drawer for :”Cheese Board” nights 🙂 And since you are on the Cabot Board can you please ask them to make sure there Horseradish is available in all parts of the Country? I’ve looked high & low in South FL and can’t find it anywhere! Love your weekly menu, and you have sure encouraged me to try to make one each week!
I no sooner got addicted to Cabot’s light cheeses when they stopped carrying them at my local (near Dallas) store. I’ve looked at a few others, but I haven’t been successful in finding a new source. I can’t wait to try some of your recipes.
Hi Gail,
The folks at Cabot said to let you know to ask the dairy manager at your store to carry the Horseradish Cheddar. You can also go to the Store Finder on the Cabot website to search availability of your favorite Cabot products at stores near you.
Danica
Thanks! I’m gonna try it! Have you tried the horseradish yet? I actually bought some Boar’s Head horseradish cheddar at the Publix deli this week and it was pretty good!
We’re so happy to have you join the Cabot Cheese Board and look forward to reading about all the cheesy goodness that comes out of your kitchen…like that burger! That looked amazing. And tell Gail H., the commenter above, to ask the dairy manager at her store to carry the Horseradish Cheddar. You can also go to the Store Finder on the Cabot website to search availability of your favorite Cabot products at stores near you.
Thanks Candace – glad to be on the Cheese Board 🙂
Danica
Thanks Candace, I’m gonna let them know 🙂
Dumb question! 🙂
Are you using soft corn tortillas for the “egg roll” or are those crunchy? Either sounds great, just curious. They make me drool looking at it!
Hi Morgan,
I use the Mission Extra Thin Yellow Corn Tortillas that are 1 points+ each. I’ve found them at my local grocery store and Super Targets.
I “fry” it up in nonstick spray while my egg cooks.
Danica
Hey there!! Love your blog and read it daily!! Have tried quite a few of your recipes, making your Baked turkey ziti tonight!!! The Kale chips were not my cup of tea but my hubby was shocked that I even tried them! 🙂
I want to make your nachos – but do you think black beans could be substituted for the chickpeas??
Joslyn
Hi Joslyn,
Definitely! I’ve made them with black beans, potatoes and chickpeas -all delicious!
Danica
Please thank the good people at Cabot for making their delicious cheeses which my LACTOSE INTOLERANT darling daughter can actually eat! She developed the condition in her early twenties. She used to love real cheese and misses it so much but it is SO hard on her poor tummy…and some of the vegan cheeses are truly horrible, poor substitutes for the real thing. She was really excited to find the Cabot cheeses.
Anne – that is so awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Danica
I am reading your Daily from work and I am going to get in trouble if I’m caught drooling on the keyboard. I might make that peach crockpot oatmeal before you do…I have the stuff at home.
Just made your “Better than a Big Mac” last night (Husband got a bun, I used a lite english muffin for SF) and you are a big hero at my house. So far, so good! Thanks for all the awesome.
Im a little confused…you stated that the veggie burger was simply filling, but the weight watchers power food guidelines for that is it has to have 2grams of fat or less…HELP
Hi Shelly,
I consider it Simply Filling while I am doing the Vegetarian thing for Meatless March as it is composed of primarily Simply Filling ingredients and a meat substitute. It is above the fat grams, but, still not bad overall (chalking in at 3 points+ per patty). If I was eating meat, I’d count the points+ because there are other options available to eat lean proteins.
Thanks for asking,
Danica
One more
I thought to be simply filling the veggie burgers had to be 2 grams fat or less?
H Lisa,
I consider it Simply Filling while I am doing the Vegetarian thing for Meatless March as it is composed of primarily Simply Filling ingredients and a meat substitute. It is above the fat grams, but, still not bad overall (chalking in at 3 points+ per patty). If I was eating meat, I’d count the points+ because there are other options available to eat lean proteins.
Thanks for asking,
Danica
Hi Danica,love your blog and I am especially liking the vegeterian recipes.We made the vegeterian minestrone soup and everybody loved it.Can you tell me how you make the artichoke chips? Thanks Karuna