Roasted Vegetables

From the country...

squash, garlic, potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, celeriac, and onions.

After the roasting process...

made into soup.

For X mas we received one of these food processors. Needless to say I have been whipping everything in sight just so I can play around with this really great (and super efficient) new kitchen gadget. It has its place now with the arsenal of other gadgets (stand mixer, ice cream maker...) that take up the majority of space in our kitchen. It works so well, and really is a hoot to use! I haven't even used a knife for a week!

I digress...

On the weekend (while the temperatures crept below the -20 degree mark) I roasted up some vegetables and made a hearty soup. This isn't really a recipe because it was so easy- I roasted the vegetables, processed them into a nice smooth consistency and added stock (we had duck and turkey stock on hand- we ALWAYS have a stock pot with bones in it on the stove...), salt/pepper taste, and some dried herbs (I had rosemary and savoury). My new fancy gadget literally made the soup. Roasting vegetables really brings the sweetness out of them- which resulted in a really nice slightly sweet, slightly nutty (thanks to those J chokes), and super velvety soup. 

I even have some garlic left over for a dip I plan on making- with the processor of course!

Oh happy day!

New Recipe

From the City...

So I just recently bought a cuisinart Food Processor and it has pretty much totally changed my life. Last weekend I did nothing but puree. I came up with the best black bean burger recipe in the world. It's so easy and can be suited to whatever you have on hand and what's in season.

1 can black beans

3 cloves garlic (I used 4 because I like things very garlicky)

1 large carrot

a handful of spinach

a handful of cilantro (optional, only if you like it)

1 egg or 1 tbsp olive oil

1 cup corn

1/2 cup oats

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp cumin (optional, only if you like it)

salt and pepper to taste

In your food processor, puree carrot and garlic.

Add black beans, spinach, cilantro, egg/oil, oats, flour, cumin, salt and pepper. Puree until everything is mixed in nicely.

Scoop out mixture into a bowl and add corn.

If you want to make the burgers right away I suggest putting the whole mess in the freezer for a couple of minutes, bowl included. Let them chill while the oil or grill is heating up.

If they're for later, form the patties and place them on a baking sheet (lined with foil or plastic wrap) and put them in the fridge to chill. If you just want to freeze the whole mess and bring them out later, form the patties and freeze them on a baking sheet, take them out when they're frozen and stack them in a ziplock bag individually separated by a piece of parchment paper.

You can grill, fry or bake (350 for 20 min) the burgers.

I like mine with avocado, greens and a little goat cheese but come up with your own creations and let me know how it turns out.