Claire's Black Bean Brownies

Claire has been making these brownies for a few years now, and they never disappoint! The recipe comes from a blog called Chocolate Covered Katie: The Healthy Dessert Blog. Here's how she/we make(s) them but there are modifications on the blog if you'd like to check it out. Not only are these brownies moist and chocolatey, they are also flour free. And super easy to make. And no one will know about the secret ingredient: black beans!

Black Bean Brownies

1 1/2 cups black beans (15-oz can, drained and rinsed well)
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips in a good food processor, and blend until completely smooth. Stir in the chips, then pour into a greased 8×8 pan. (Claire sprinkles extra chocolate chips on top at this point.) Bake for 15-18 minutes, then let cool at least 10 minutes. If they still look a bit undercooked, which they normally will, they will firm up in the fridge. They freeze well, but you'll want to freeze on a cookie sheet before putting into bags or they'll stick together.

Spicy Ginger Pork Curry

I've been making this pork curry for 20 years. It's easy to make and so tasty. The original recipe comes from Nancie McDermott's The Curry Book. I've made a couple of small tweaks to the recipe. Here's how I make it.

Burmese-Style Pork Curry with Fresh Ginger

1/4 c peeled fresh ginger, cut into matchsticks
1 1/2 pounds of pork roast (a reasonably fatty cut), cut into 1 inch cubes (previously cooked is fine)
1 tbsp red thai curry paste (or to taste)
1/4 c brown sugar
2 1/2 c water
2 tsp turmeric
2 tsp low sodium (or regular) soy sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c thinly sliced shallots
2 tbsp minced garlic
1/4 lime juice

Cover ginger with warm water in small bowl and set aside.
Combine pork, curry paste, and brown sugar in a heavy saucepan and cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring regularly to coat the pork.
Stir together water, turmeric, soy sauce, and salt, and pour over the pork. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 45 minutes.
Add ginger with soaking liquid, shallots, garlic, and lime juice to the pan and cook for a further 5 minutes. Taste and adjust with additional salt, lime juice, or sugar if desired.
Serve over jasmine rice.

Lentil Sloppy Joes

I can't believe it's been over a week since I posted a recipe here. I anticipated posting many during our self isolation, but the days slip by one after another until it's been a week and then two... I also can't quite believe I haven't posted this particular recipe before now. It comes from Recipes from the Hood, a 2011 cookbook filled with recipes from moms in a local Etobicoke women's group - MINOES (Mothers in Need of Entertainment). These are perfect vegetarian sloppy joes. You won't even notice you're not eating ground beef!

Lentil Sloppy Joes

1 c uncooked green lentils
4 c water
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 pepper, whatever colour you have, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
8 oz tomato sauce
1/4 c tomato paste
3 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp yellow mustard
4-6 brioche buns*

Put lentils in pot with 4 c water, cover, and bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until lentils are cooked. Drain and set aside.

Saute onion and pepper in oil until soft. Add garlic and saute for about one minute more. Add cooked lentils, chili powder, oregano, and salt, and mix. Add tomato sauce and tomato paste, stir, and cook for another 10 minutes.

Add maple syrup and mustard and heat through. Turn heat off and let sit for about 10 minutes, or more, until you're ready. Serve in brioche buns, ideally with the Il Buco kale salad on the side.


*This is what I like best, but any hamburger buns would do. You could also serve this on rice or potatoes if you wanted.