The universe is testing me. At least that’s how it feels. A friend described it with an onomatopoeia. WHAM, BAM! Just four months after Maya’s suicide, my mom called me from the hospital. She had a minor heart attack. My mom, who just last week I described to my therapist as tough and resilient. And she is. She’s strong and healthy and grounded. There’s no obvious reason why she would have something like this happen. But instead of feeling discouraged, angry and afraid, I’m trying to remember that staring death in the face, makes us appreciate our lives all the more. So, we’re taking this “heart event” as an opportunity to reevaluate what matters and how we want to spend the lifetime we have been given. Now, more than ever, I’m focusing on maintaining a healthy body and mind.
The other day Anders proclaimed that he wanted to eat more beans. He’d read about how they’re packed with fiber, reduce cholesterol and help prevent aging. So, I pulled the pressure cooker out of the closet, bought a variety of dry beans and got cooking. I made a white bean and fennel soup with broccoli raab, a cranberry bean and orecchiette pasta and these white bean burgers with fennel slaw, a tangy caper aoli, avocado, arugula.
With gratitude, Sasha
WHITE BEAN BURGERS WITH FENNEL SLAW
Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE BURGERS
2 cloves garlic
zest from 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
1/4 cup chickpea flour
1 15oz can navy beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup parsley
oil for frying
FOR THE SLAW
1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
juice form 1/2 lemon
salt and pepper to taste
FOR THE CAPER AOLI
1/4 cup capers, roughly chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
TO SERVE
burger buns
sliced avocado
arugula
PROCEDURE
FOR THE BURGERS
In the bowl of a food processor, mince the garlic with the lemon zest, salt, and red pepper flakes. Add the beans, flax, and chickpea flour and pulse a few times until you have a chunky puree. Add the parsley and pulse a few more times. Shape the mixture into patties about 1/2 inch thick and coat them lightly in more chickpea flour. Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Fry the burgers until golden brown on both sides.
FOR THE SLAW
Combine the shaved fennel, oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl and toss to combine. Set aside.
FOR THE CAPER AOLI
Combine the capers, garlic, honey, mayonnaise and black pepper in a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
ASSEMBLE THE BURGERS
Spread the buns with the caper aoli and top with the burger, a few slices of avocado, a handful of fennel slaw and some arugula.
Perhaps K2 vit. is something for yr mother. look at UTube,Professor Vermeer, University of Maastricht. There is an extensive interview with an American dr. Hope yr mother has recovered. thank you for your lovely recipies. Janet
Thanks for the tip Janet. I’ll check it out. And thanks for following!
Oh Sasha, I’m so sorry. Scott’s dad has suffered a series of heart attacks and it has been such a struggle for Scott to deal with (as I can imagine for his poor dad to as well) even though he is healthy and active. Sometimes these things throw us for a loop and its such a great reminder to cherish every moment. Asking ourselves on the daily “how am I being intentional with my time today”. I’m praying for you and your sweet heart (and family) as you go through this tough season in your lives (with this and your sis, so many hugs for you friend). Totally jumping topics now to this amazing burger just screaming ‘winter fresh’. A great reminder to try to include more beans in my diet as well. Here is to a week of living well – xoxoxo
Yes, it’s been a rough few months, but I love what you said about living intentionally. That has been the biggest lesson throughout all of this. Thanks for the virtual hugs!
Beautiful.
Beautiful photographs. The combination of white beans, fresh, crisp fennel and piquant capes sounds incredible. Thank you for sharing the wonderful recipe
Thank you! And thanks for following…
oh man, these burgs! and that slaw! loving all that shiny winter white going on here, sasha. i know these past few months have been difficult (to put it lightly), but from what little i do know about you, you are one strong and enduring lady. hugs to you <3
Thanks so much! I’m trying to stay strong and have to remind myself that everything ebbs and flows. This too will pass. Thanks for the support and hugs.
These burgers sound wonderful! I really love the sound of that slaw on top. So delicious!
“This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival, a joy, a depression, a measness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all, even if they are a crowd of sorrows who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture. Still treat each guest honorably, he may be cleaning you out for some new delight.” – Rumi
Sometimes I do believe that the universe is testing us too, Sasha. Your words are so strong here, its hard to stay so powerful during a time like this. Sending love + light and hoping that new delights are soon coming your way. This burger recipe is gorgeous and a new delight for all of us, thanks for sharing x
Love this quote. Thank you so much for sharing it. XO