Today was so FUN!
A Saturday at heart. I did ZERO school-related work and will pay for that this weekend, but you know what, I probably needed the personal day today more than I will on Saturday (when it’s supposed to rain!)I wasn’t really hungry all afternoon. So I traded my pear for pumpkin!
I’ve got about 6 pumpkin beers in the fridge with a claim on them and the husband is always bugging me to have one to clear them out (he swears they will be in there next October, but I just want to have one when I can really savor it!!) But tonight was relaxing and fun watching the Office before dinner, so we split one. His + Hers (I always get the bottle 🙂 )
For dinner we made 100% comfort foods: Homemade Black Bean Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries + Kale Chips.
The burgers (for 2) were:
- 3/4 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2.5 tbsp whole wheat flour
- 1 sprinkle garlic powder
- 1 sprinkle cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp EVOO
- 3 glugs Worcestershire
Mash together, form into ball, split ball in half, form into patties, sear in a skillet with some cooking spray until lightly browned.
On GH “French Toast” bread, with ketchup and mustard and pickle
The fries were the best we’ve ever made!!! Cut into strips, coated with 1-2 tsp olive oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon and cayenne. Put on a heavily sprayed cookie sheet and baked at 400* for about 45 minutes, rotating 90* every 15 minutes.
Kale chips were delicious as always. They went into the 400* oven with the SP fries for the last 12 minutes or so. They were on a heavily sprayed cookie sheet and sprinkled with garlic powder and kosher salt.
All served with a ton of ketchup –
He brought home an Oatmeal Raisin cookie and gave me a generous bite for dessert 
Get Your Country Bob’s!
The sauce is sweeping blog land!
The Hungry Yogini and What I Ate Yesterday are both holding contests! I hear a rumor that Zesty might have some up his sleeve too!
We’re going to watch one more Office and then wind down. I’m planning on going to cycle class tomorrow morning, but we’ll see how slow I am when I get up 🙂 And Kelsey and I have plans for a girls day out after Food Lab!
WEEKLY BITE says
The Kale looks great in your photos!!
Betsy says
Oh man that cookie…. yum!
zestycook says
Congrats on the relaxing day Kath!
joyful says
Do you precook the kale, or just stick it in the oven uncooked? Does it get crispy? I must try this.
Kath says
Joyful,
The recipe is on the sidebar. It goes in uncooked, and yes it gets chip-crispy.
K
Kelley says
Can you use White beans or Garbanzo Beans to make a Bean Patty? or are black beans the best bet?
Kath says
Kelley,
Any kind will do!
K
VeggieGirl says
SWEET POTATOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) says
I’m so jealous of your relaxing day! Sometimes we just need one =)
Thanks for announcing the giveaway!
Kelley says
Perfect. Now i know what’s on the menu for tonight! Thanks!
K says
Drinking out of the bottle is so much more fun. Love the “burger and fries”
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
YUM!!!
Oh I’m having a contest too!!!
Meredith (Pursuing Balance) says
Yum!!!
jsr says
What else do you think you could use to bind the burgers? I can’t eat wheat….any ideas?
Maggie says
Yay for fries!
Jess. says
how funny- i had black bean burgers and sweet potato fries for lunch. wish i had kale chips as well- it would have been perfect. it was tasty just the same 🙂
Sarah (Tales of Expansion) says
mmmm, cinnamon + cayenne is my FAVORITE combo … on fries, in hot chocolate, pb, and on and on. i can see why they were the best fries ever!
so glad you were able to have a true personal day! it’s so hard to keep days off free of work …
Meg says
Your black bean burgers look delicious! Sweet potatoes always go well with black bean burgers>
Megs says
Oh, wow, those fries and burgers look absolutely delectable. I’m going to try to make them some time, mmm 😀
Shelby says
Fabulous recipe for burgers, I’m going to save it…they look so easy and quick to make, which is always something I look for.
The kale and sweet potato fries look like the perfect pairing.
Oh She Glows says
Oh my gosh I can’t believe I have never made a black bean burger! I was just starring at the cans in my lazy suz’ tonight wondering what on earth to do with them. 🙂 thanks for the great ideas as always!
Mel says
Your sweet potato fries look so crispy and perfect! I need to try your technique!
seelee live (for the love of peanut butter) says
dinner looks sooooo professional, simple, delightful and purely beautiful!!
i’m jealous. seriously, kath-those SP fries look professional , like the kind in the restaurant!! what’s so special about them this time? We can TELL that they look good.
Victoria says
I’m glad you enjoyed your mental health days. Everyone needs them now and then.
Andrea says
Our local brewery has a seasonal pumpkin porter and if they bottled it, I would definately keep some in the fridge to savor year round! I have recently started following your blog and so far love it!
Clean Veggie says
yum! those are some of my favorite foods right there.
love the kale chips && sweet potato fries.
Amelia says
I still have never tried Pumpkin Ale. 🙁 Maybe this October!
Love the idea of making your own black bean burgers. Yum!
Rachel says
Yummmmm, I love pumpkin ale of all kinds. But like you I hafta be in the right mood to drink it! I think that’s a beer I could keep in my fridge without overdoing it. Good idea! Love the spice combo on your fries, too.
Biz319 says
I’ve tried making those kale chips several times and every time they are completely brittle and I am not able to dip them. Maybe I am overcooking them?
brandi says
I love personal days! It’s worth it to take one when the weather is nice and you’re able to!
Did you watch the new office episode tonight? I love that show too much.
Diana (Soap & Chocolate) says
No fair! I did a meal SO similar to that for dinner last night and it wasn’t NEARLY as delicious (I imagine) or pretty. Oh well, it was homemade veggie burgers by the seat of my pants – I will get it down someday, and your recipe above will help!
Sarah (lovINmytummy) says
Burger, beer, fries, GH Cookie, Office?! Can I come over? You don’t have to be there, just leave me a key!
Bridget says
Personal days are so refreshing! Glad you got to enjoy one on a day with nice weather 🙂
HangryPants says
I love adding cinnamon to sweet potato fries! I just won some country bob’s sauce and am verrrry excited!
Brittany says
Your dinner looks awesome. I totally want to try the Black Bean burgers!
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
I’ll have to try those burgers – they look great!
thepinkpeppercorn says
Yay! A day for you!! Looks like a delicious day too; thanks for sharing the black bean burger – I’d never even thought of that before, just like that – brilliant!!
Jenn (eating bender) says
Black bean burgers have been on my to-make list forever! Turns out, I actually have all of those ingredients on hand! I think I know what I’ll be making for dinner on Sunday night!
I love personal days 🙂 I’m glad you were able to enjoy one and moved the work to a rainy day!
theoddbod says
so excited! i must try these black bean burgers
Marissa says
Those fries look sooo good! Glad you had a relaxing day!
Josie says
Holy yum, that dinner looks good!
That’s cool you took a personal day, you deserved it!
Danielle says
Yay for TLC time… glad you enjoyed it 🙂
sue says
what a great twist on burgers and fries!
Kath says
jsr ,
Spelt flour?
Biz319 ,
They are very brittle and don’t always hold the ketchup without crumbling. I have to use my fingers for support 🙂
brandi ,
The new Office will be viewed tonight!
K
AutumnTao says
Quality beer. My fiance wonders when I plan to drink the 3 Wolaver’s Organic Pumpkin Ales I have stashed away also. Autumn brews are by far my favorite, and dig on the Newcastle too. Cheers.
Mariposa says
sometimes we all need a break! yahoooo for personal days!
skinnyrunner says
looks like a delicious, healthy meal. personal days are the best.
Allison K says
I have a can of black beans in my pantry that I’ve just been staring at for weeks….I’m going to make these burgers!
Amy says
That dinner looks divine 🙂 Can’t beat a heathy burger and sp fries. Delish!
Jasmine T says
Dear Kath, I want to try your veggie burgers this weekend. Can you explain how you mash them? Do I need a blender, or just vigorous stirring? Also, how long do you cook them. Thanks as always. JT.
Jess says
Oooh I’m going to try cinnamon and cayenne on my sweet potato fries. Sometimes I do cumin.
The Duo Dishes says
Bran muffins, beer, sweet potato fries, black bean burgers! OMG, great food day!
Aggie says
This is exactly why I love your blog…that meal and beer is total comfort food for me too! I have got to make kale chips, I’m trying so hard to like kale…but haven’t tried it like that! Everything looks great!
Kath says
Jasmine T,
I used an avocado masher (a mini version of a potato masher) but you could just use a fork.
K
Snake says
Please tell me you didn’t dip the sweet potato fries in the ketchup? YOU taught me they were to be eaten with maple syrup or honey!!
-Snakleton