Food For Thought: Beef, Black Bean, Butternut Squash Burgers

[Mackenaw]

Hello Everyone

God bless you this day.

As we try to navigate through this current situation called "COVID-19", one of the many dilemmas is food shortages. Since the outbreak of this monster inside meat packing plants and poultry plants throughout the U.S., we are experiencing shortages in meat and chicken -- which for a great percentage of Americans is their number one source of protein in their diets. This situation challenges us to rethink how to feed ourselves.

Some protein alternatives to meat and poultry are: eggs, cheese, nuts, yogurt, soy products, just to name a few.

Our family recently tried a new recipe, which did include meat, but we were able to have it go further by adding a few other ingredients: black beans and butternut squash. We combined 12 ounces of ground beef with 10 ounces frozen butternut squash, thawed (cut into bite size cubes), 3/4 cup rinsed (cooked) black beans and 1/2 tsp of garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. My husband topped his burger with a slice of cheddar cheese. We then just added mustard, ketchup, thinly sliced onions, tomatoes and finshed it off with some lettuce. They were awesome!!! The recipe we used was one found on The Food Network. We made a few minor changes such as exchanging black beans for white beans, lowering the amounts of the spices. We are inspired by recipes and then adapt them to meet our tastes and needs. Example, we do not add salt to most recipes because of medical restrictions.

I hope it inspires your future food preparations.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.



2 Thessalonians 2:15-17 King James Version (KJV)

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.


God bless and keep you,
Mack

[Dora]

Oh I love black bean burgers. I've never heard of adding squash. But I love me some squash. I think I could leave out the beef. What do you think? Beef causes inflammation and I have RA.

[Mackenaw]

Hello Dora

God bless you this day.

Me too! I love beans, and seldom eat ground beef anymore. If I indulge in burgers made with animal products, I tend to prefer ground chicken or turkey. I also wrestle with inflammation, but thankfully God has lead me to change my diet significantly in the last 3 years. God is so very good!

God bless you.
Love,
Mack