Latin Style Falafel with Avocado Spread

One of my New Years resolutions is to try to incorporate at least 1-2 vegetarian meals per week into my diet, so I was browsing recipes and came across this one. I've never made falafel, and frankly I'm not sure how much I've actually eaten in the past, but thought I'd give it a try. I liked it, especially the avocado spread I made along with it, but the actual falafel was a bit bland. I will try it again, but will definitely add more of the cumin.

Latin Style Falafel with Avocado Spread

Patties:

• 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup finely crushed baked tortilla chips (about 3/4 ounce)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 large egg white
• 1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil

To prepare patties, place pinto beans in a medium bowl; partially mash with a fork. Add cheese and next 5 ingredients (through egg white); stir until well combined. Shape bean mixture into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) oval patties.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until patties are browned and thoroughly heated.

Spread:

• 1/4 cup mashed peeled avocado
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped tomato
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
• 2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

To prepare spread, combine avocado and next 5 ingredients (through salt), stirring well.

I served them by placing one patty in a pita half. Spread about 2 tablespoons avocado spread over patty in each pita half; top with some thinly sliced red onions and some sort of greens (I used lettuce, but you could use spinach, or micro-greens).

Thai Shrimp Soup

This is a recipe that my old roommate actually used to cook, and when she moved out, I became the new "owner". I love the slightly spicy flavor of the broth, and I usually end up adding some rice noodles to it to make it a little more substantial. This particular night I had a mixture of shrimp and scallops, but to be honest, the scallops did not add anything to this soup, I'll just stick with shrimp next time.

Thai Shrimp Soup

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 3 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 5-6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (depending on your spice level desire!)
• 1 head napa cabbage, thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
• 1 1/2 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons asian fish sauce
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped or chopped scallion
• 
  
• Heat oil in a large pot. Add ginger and onion. Cook, stirring frequently for about 3 minutes. Add broth and red pepper flakes and bring to a low boil. Add cabbage and cook for approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Add shrimp, lime zest and lime juice. If you're adding noodles, this is probably the time you would add those to the broth as well. Cook just until shrimp turns pink. Serve hot sprinkled with cilantro or scallions.