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) 

Make This New Year a Healthy One!

Happy New Year everyone!  I'm getting back into regular routine with the family, and hope you are all easing back into the swing of things after a restful holiday break.  The holidays are a funny thing, aren't they?  Part restful, part chaotic!  The change of pace was welcome in our household, with a break from school and activities, and also having my mom visit from Newfoundland. 

In this upcoming year I'm going to try and showcase as much new and healthy food (ie recipes for new cookbook) as possible, as well as continue to offer up my perspective as a mom and vegan cook.   As far as when that new cookbook will be out, I can only say I'll let you know when I've committed to a date!

So, to start off this year of posts, my latest true/slant piece is Stop Getting Sucked Into Diets.  It irks me with every new year that the media plays into the guilt of holiday overindulgence with 'the best' diet tips and tricks.  I think diets are largely unsuccessful.  Sure, some folks succeed, but many (many) more fail - including those that have had temporary successes.  That's the problem, diets are temporary fixes.  We need to look at long-term sensible lifestyle and dietary changes.  And, as I mention in my t/s article, if you haven't yet read The China Study, do so! 

I'll be back very soon with some food pics.  Until then, happy (and healthy - and delicious) eats!