Sunday, January 17, 2010

Black Bean, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa Croquettes with Pumpkin Seed Chipotle Cream

Here's another new recipe, and as I've just noticed, it has a terribly long name!  Ah well, that I can work on.  As for the recipe, it is done and it is delish! 

These Black Bean, Sweet Potato and Quinoa Croquettes are gluten-free, and as such as a touch more delicate than other black bean burgers or patties.  However, since they are meant to be eaten with a fork as a patty or croquette, rather than on a bun as a burger, a slightly more fragile texture works just fine.  The sweet potatoes balance the smoky and savory ingredients (cumin, oregano, chile, garlic), in the croquettes, and there is a hit of lime to heighten all the flavors.  Alongside is a Pumpkin Seed Chipotle Cream, which is a must-serve (at least, imo) with the croquettes.  Since the patties are not particularly rich or heavy, the cream serves to make the dish more satisfying - and of course, more delicious.

On another subject, you'll notice that I will be including various quotes/blurbs from books like The China Study and Eating Animals at the end of my blogger and t/s posts.  This is not to intiate debate.  If you are perturbed by any of these quotes, please understand that I will not defend or argue these points.  I truly do not have that amount of time, and it is not my intention to be argumentative.  I am including these excerpts to encourage those of you that are questioning the consumption of dairy and meat to do just that.  Question further, and learn more through books like The China Study and Eating Animals.

...people often cite health concerns to justify their opposition to pumping antibiotics and hormones into farm animals.  The assumption is that the meat would be safe to eat if it didn't have those unnatural chemicals in it.  The real danger of the meat, however, is the nutritional imbalances, regardless of the presence or absence of those nasty chemicals.  (p.239, The China Study) 

23 comments:

Meg said...

Wow, that sounds so delicious!

Vic Robinson said...

Wow! This is a lot of great items and looks totally awesome!

Gaile said...

Looks very tasty. I like that they are gluten free. But, does the chipotle cream use powder or canned chipotles? I have yet to find a brand of canned chipotles that are gluten free.

Michelle.S said...

YUM! those look great. I tried to add sweet potatoes to your neat balls to create a patty but the texture wasn't great. I can't wait for this recipe. We make your lentil patties and moroccan chickpea patties every week. I have a feeling these will be added to my list of favorites!

vanessa said...

Yum! Recipe, please! Pretty please with Chipotle Cream on top...

BTW, I was in Choices the other day and heard one of the cashiers say "Hi, Dreena!" Let me just say, it's nice to know I'm not the only one they know by name...I was starting to get embarrassed!

Anonymous said...

these look fabulous...and they're full of ingredients i've only just discovered.

can't wait to see the recipe!

Anonymous said...

This sounds and looks so delicious! I hope every food is like this that is gluten-free!
dining room table

Julie Lynn said...

This isn't a combination of ingredients I've seen put together before. Very creative. I like that you made a delicate croquette instead of a burger too.

Anonymous said...

These look fantastic - I can't wait for your new cookbook to come out!

Brandi said...

I am trying to read Eating Animal right now. It is difficult being in school...but I guess I could get off the computer and read it and stop with the excuses. I love the quote idea though. Love it! (Food looks great too!)

P.S. I just posted an Arbonne Giveaway on my blog. Arbonne is a vegan certified health and wellness company. Stop by if you would like to enter to win great Aromatherapy products!

aimee said...

Yea for Dreena's delicious patty recipes! This looks amazing! I'm so looking forward to your new cookbook!

Betsy DiJulio said...

That sounds like exactly my kind of thing--all my favorite ingredients. Genius!
The Mad Platter, www.thebloomingplatter.blogspot.com

Dreena said...

Gaile, the patties are gf, and in the sauce I use the Tabasco brand of chipotle hot sauce. It appears to be gf - the only questionable ingredients is 'natural flavors'. I know after checking with them once that it is vegan, but not sure if anything in that natural flavoring might have gluten. I won't label the sauce as gf unless I find out more for certain.

Ha, funny Vanessa! Also, yes, verging on embarrassing for us. :) I'm there so often I should have some kind of "freaking frequent shopper" card, b/c just frequent doesn't do my shopping justice. But, then again, there isn't anywhere else to get a few specialty items or for a wide range of organics. I would LOVE Whole Foods to come to the area!

Brandi, I've got a few good books I want to get into too - usually my reading during a hot bath or while waiting in the car during school pick-ups!

Thanks everyone.......! :)

Heather Iacobacci-Miller said...

Those croquettes sound fabulous!

Unknown said...

Oh wow great minds think alike! So honored that we're on the same wavelength!! :)

http://veganinnewengland.wordpress.com

-K. Chantel

Unknown said...

Any chance we can get the recipe before the next cookbook comes out - would love to make them!

Cassie - Vegan Fox said...

These sound wonderful! The quotes are a great idea. I just picked up Eating Animals at the library today and am excited, I've heard good things. I'm a huge fan of your cookbook and excited for anything else you throw out there. Your food combinations are inspiring and have encouraged me to explore new possibilities in flavor!

cdub said...

Those look awesome... how about something like "Southwest Croquettes"? the spices seem to lean that way. Can't wait for the new cookbook!

urban vegan said...

Yummers...this is classic Dreena!

Nancy said...

Oh wow, this looks really really really good.

Devan said...

wow. this looks.sounds.like music and dance on my tastebuds!!

Laura Brown said...

These look so delicious! I cannot wait to try them!

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