Pasta Patty Appetizer Recipe

Making pasta patties is my way of using left-over pasta. I made a very simple pasta dish mixing pre-cooked elbow macaroni, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese and eggs. I wanted to create a nice contrast of texture, so I breaded the pasta patties using panko bread crumbs from Asian Food Grocer and gave them a quick pan fry.

I served the crunchy patties with tomato sauce and a light green salad. This is a great light meal for lunch, and can be put together very quickly if you have leftover cooked pasta on hand.

Quinoa Patties (Galette de Quinoa Recipe)

Quinoa is my go-to ingredient whenever I'm preparing a light, gluten free recipe. I've used it in the past in side dishes and appetizers. I've always wanted to use quinoa to make a vegetarian main course, and today I think I've accomplished that.

I created little patties flavored with carrots, crimini mushrooms, eggplant and blue cheese. I bound them using a combination of lecithin and xanthan gum. You could always use eggs instead.  Making quinoa patties is simple. The filling should be moist and the outer part of the bite should have a crisp crunch. And after a healthy, light dish like this one, you can splurge on a decadent dessert. At least, that's what I tell myself!

Black Bean Burger (Homemade Veggie Burger Recipe)

Have you started preparing your 4th of July menu? I always plan ahead, because along with ribs, burgers and hot dogs, I have come up with a vegetarian option as well. As always, there's going to be a platter of grilled vegetables, corn on the cob and fire-roasted sweet potatoes but I still wanted to make a "main course" worthy vegetarian dish that's substantial and filling.

After polling the herbivores in my house, I settled on black bean burgers. They're just seasoned, mashed black beans bound together with lecithin and xanthan gum. You could always use an egg instead if there are no dietary restrictions or allergies to contend with. A couple of minutes on the grill and they're good to go. You could also opt for other legumes such as pinto beans, chickpeas, kidney beans or fava beans.

I'll probably grill the veggie burgers first, then cook the regular meat burgers and let each guest assemble their sandwich with tomato slices, greens and onions. What could be better on Independence Day than a little freedom?

Masala Burger Recipe

Here's a new take on the American burger classic! Spice up your traditional barbecue menu by adding flavors from India.

Masala burgers would make a perfect addition to your spread this Memorial Day weekend. They're a welcome change from regular beef burgers. I've made fusion burgers in the past, including keema burgers made with Indian-style ground beef. This time, I flavored hamburger patties with garam masala, ginger garlic paste, turmeric and red chili powder. I also changed the condiments; I substituted kachumbar (Indian salsa), my own concoction of raita (Indian yogurt sauce) and tamarind sauce for the ordinary ketchup, mayo, mustard and pickle relish.

Mini Keema Burgers in Pate a Choux Buns

What happens when you combine a classic American dish with recipes from France and India? The correct answer is mini pâte à choux keema burgers. These are definitely out of the ordinary, but they are fun and taste great.

Using choux paste, I made standard cream puff shells which I used as the hamburger buns. I filled them with Indian-style, spicy ground beef mixed with diced potatoes, called "keema". To reinforce the idea that this dish is supposed to be a burger, I added a slice of Gruyère and lettuce.

I was very pleased with the presentation; it really looked like an upscale hamburger. The flavors were fabulously sharp and spicy. These special treats will take you around the world with every single bite.