Happy Mother's Day

My mother, Marie Montaruli Nolan, was born on E. 23rd Street in NYC. She passed away twenty years ago, and I still miss her. Although I have two nice children, Mother's Day is always bittersweet for me. Because, I still miss Mommy. Yes, even when I was a forty year old woman, I still called her "Mommy."

Although my maternal grandparents were professional chefs, I am not sure that my Mom was a good cook. She was an excellent baker and made the best cookies this side of the universe. I am not a baker, don't have the knack or the patience. My sisters, Mary Lou and Mary Ann, are amazing bakers. Not me. I think because baking is too scientific. Cooking on the other hand, is more "little of this, little of that," and this appeals to me.

So, in honor of Mother's Day, here's a recipe that I have put together for "Sweet Potato Burgers" with a twist. Something sweet to create on this Mother's Day...sweet, just like my Mommy, Marie Nolan.

Happy Mother's Day!

Sweet Potato Burgers

You'll need:

One large sweet potato, baked with skin on
One can of 365 organic black beans, rinsed

1 T of Liquid Smoke (plain variety)
1 1/2 cup of old fashioned oats
1 t of garlic powder
1 t of ginger powder

1 onion, finely chopped--saute in the Liquid Smoke. Make sure that all of the liquid is gone. Let cool and add to mixture.

Take the sweet potato, cut it in half, or more and put it in, with skin on, in your food processor. Pulse until it is chunky.

Mix together well with all other ingredients, adding the oatmeal last.

Divide mixture into four equal servings. Make into a burger.

Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Put in 375 oven for about 25 minutes.

You can either put this on a whole wheat roll, or serve solo on a bed of wilted spinach.

Enjoy and Happy Mother's Day.