Vegetarian Delights: A Confessions of a Foodie Offspring

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Showing posts with label Spicy Lentil Rice Burgers [Vegan]. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spicy Lentil Rice Burgers [Vegan]. Show all posts

Thursday, July 20, 2023

Burgers

Burgers seem to be one of those iconic summer meals, at least here in the U.S. True, many of us could eat burgers year 'round, but they seem especially popular during the summer.

For anyone thinking Burgers? On a vegetarian blog?, not a problem: besides the many vegetarian burgers on the market (think Boca Burgers, Gardein veggie crumbles and "meatless" products, Morningstar Farms veggie burgers), there are ways to make homemade veggie burgers.

Note: Keep in mind that the aforementioned companies also make other meatless products besides veggie burgers. Check them out, if you haven't already. You're bound to find a few favorites. There are also many more companies that cater to vegetarians or vegetarian-curious; these were simply three of the companies that I go to quite frequently.

To that end, here are six vegetarian burgers to try out. If you found one or two of these that you absolutely love (or really are not wild about), let me know, okay? In the meantime, check out the Homemade Grilled Veggie Burger, the Planet Burgers, the Black Bean Burgers with Avocado-Lime Mayo, along with the rest of today's yummy recipes. Enjoy!

BLACK BEAN-BROWN RICE BURGERS

This comes from Hannah Verrinder on the Genius Kitchen site. Time: 40 minutes; Serves: 6; Yield: 6 patties

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/2 cup uncooked brown rice

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 small onion, chopped (white or yellow)

1 garlic clove, minced

1 cup frozen corn

1 teaspoon salt

cayenne pepper (to taste)

1/3 teaspoon chili powder

1 egg

1/3 cup breadcrumbs (preferably seasoned)

Directions

In a small pot, combine rice and 1 cup water; bring to a boil, and then turn down to medium heat and cook 20 minutes.In a saucepan, heat a little oil over medium heat and saute the onion and garlic about 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent and soft.

Add the corn and spices and cook until the corn is defrosted, another 5 minutes.

In a medium bowl, mash the drained beans with a fork or your fingers.

Add the rice, corn, and onion; combine, mashing it with your fork as you go. Taste and adjust the spices now, because once you put the egg in you could risk salmonella.

Add the egg and mix in well.

Add the breadcrumbs.

Form into patties by patting the desired amount of mixtured into a flat round. (I used a giant cookie scoop to make sure all the patties were the same size, but you can just divide the mixture into six sections).

Cook about 2 minutes on each side (if you can't flip the patty without breaking it, it's probably not finished cooking).

PLANET BURGERS

This was in the January 2010 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 12. It begins, "Diana McAnulty's search for a veggie burger her kids would devour took her through all the premade brands. Then she re-created the Planet Burger from the Good Earth restaurant in her childhood hometown of Cupertino, Calif. It was a hit. Serve on whole-grain hamburger buns with condiments." Makes 9 burgers.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 cups cooked brown rice

12 oz. cooked chickpeas, mashed

1 medium onion, chopped (1 1/2 cups)

4 oz. cooked red beans or adzuki beans, mashed

1 medium carrot, shredded (1/2 cup)

1/2 cup ground almonds, almond flour, or breadcrumbs

1/2 cup roasted unsalted sunflower seeds

1/3 cup dried parsley

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 tsp. dried thyme

Directions

Stir together all ingredients in large bowl. Shape 9 1/2-inch-thick patties.

Coat nonstick skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium-high heat. Cook patties in skillet 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until browned on outside and cooked through on inside. (Use wide spatula to flip burgers; they can be fragile.)

nutritional information Per Serving: Calories: 253; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 34 g; Cholesterol: 47 mg; Sodium: 282 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 4 g; Gluten-Free

HOMEMADE GRILLED VEGGIE BURGER

This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, "Making a grilled veggie burger from scratch used to produce a crumbly mess. But thanks to the smart use of chickpeas and other healthy binders like mushrooms and black beans, these veggie burgers bring a whole new level of delicious awesomeness."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Makes 3 - 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/homemade-grilled-veggie-burger-recipe/.

Ingredients

8-oz pack baby bella mushrooms, sliced

1 1/2 red onion, sliced

1/2 bell pepper, sliced

5 cloves garlic

Olive oil (for coating veggies and basting burgers)

1 cup chickpeas

1 1/2 cups black beans

2 eggs

2 Tbsp soy sauce

2 Tbsp sriracha

2 Tbsp BBQ sauce

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 tsp cornstarch, mixed with 2 tsp water

1/3 cup parmesan cheese

1 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup almond flour (more may be needed for consistency)

Burgers

Burger buns

Cheddar cheese Lettuce Tomatoes Mustard Mayo Pickles

Lettuce

Tomatoes

Mustard

Mayo

Pickles

Special Equipment

Food Processor

Preparation

Preheat your grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Before you make the patties, you must first dehydrate excess moisture from the veggies so the burgers will keep their shape.

Place mushrooms, red onion, bell pepper, and garlic cloves in a grill basket. Coat with some olive oil, season to taste with salt and pepper, and mix well. Set aside.

Punch a couple of small holes in the bottom of a foil pan, then fill it with your chickpeas and black beans. The holes will allow excess water to drain from the veggies while roasting. Set aside.

Before placing veggies on the grill, toss some hickory wood chips on the coals.

Place the grill basket and foil pan on the grill, and roast them with the lid closed for about 30 minutes. Stir them about halfway through the cook.

Once roasted, remove veggies from the grill and allow them to cool. You can extinguish the grill if you’re roasting the vegetables well ahead of time, or you can let it cruise while you prepare your patties if you’re doing this recipe in one go.

Once cooled, pour the veggies from the grill basket into a food processor. Add eggs, soy sauce, sriracha, BBQ sauce, salt, pepper, and the mixture of cornstarch and water, then blend until fairly smooth.

Add chickpeas, black beans, parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs to the food processor. Lightly pulse a few times in the food processor — you want the beans in your burger mix to maintain some varying texture, so don’t fully purée as in the above step.

Pour burger mix into a bowl, gradually incorporating a little bit of almond flour at a time. Aim for a consistency that’s thick enough to form a patty that’ll hold its shape.

Once your mixture can be easily formed into burgers, sprinkle a light layer of flour onto a dish. Create 3–4 patties and place them on the floured dish to prevent sticking.

Brush olive oil on top of the patties. This will be the side that hits the grill first. The olive oil will help the patties receive some color and easily release from the grates.

Place patties in the fridge, uncovered, for at least 10 minutes before grilling. This will help them keep their form when they hit the grill.

Preheat your grill to 350 degrees, adding more charcoal if necessary.

Brush the grill grates with olive oil just before placing your patties on the grill.

Grill the veggie burgers for about 6–8 minutes a side, until crisp and golden brown on each side. Keep the grill lid down during the cook, lifting it only to baste the top side of your burgers with olive oil before flipping them. OPTIONAL: After flipping, baste the top of the burgers with a bit of melted butter.

Melt slices of cheese over the patties before removing them from the grill. Adding cheese during the final minute of the cook should get the job done.

Plate and serve the burgers with your toppings of choice, and enjoy!

VEGAN BLACK BEAN BURGERS

This comes from Jolinda Hackett, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. She wrote, “I love this recipe for black bean patties because its easy to make as well as tasty, two of my favorite qualities in a recipe! They aren't quite firm enough to toss on the backyard grill, but are good for an everyday meal. This veggie burger recipe is both vegetarian and vegan.” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes

This can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1/2 onion, diced

1 can black beans, well drained

1/2 cup flour

2 slices bread, crumbled

1 tsp garlic powder1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp seasoned salt

salt and pepper to taste

oil for frying

Directions

Sautee the onions till soft, about 3-5 minutes.

In a large bowl, mash the beans until almost smooth. Add sauteed onions and the rest of the ingredients, except the oil, adding the flour a few tablespoons at a time to combine well. Mixture will be thick.

Form bean mixture into patties, approximately 1/2 inch thick and fry patties in a small amount of oil until slightly firm. Make veggie burgers and enjoy!

BLACK BEAN BURGERS WITH AVOCADO-LIME MAYO

This recipe starts off, “Jazz up these tasty burgers with avocado-lime mayo and you'll have a vegetarian sandwich that even die-hard meat eaters will love.”

Yield: 4 servings. Serving size: 1 burger.

Source: "The Heart-Smart Diabetes Kitchen: Fresh, Fast and Flavorful

Recipes Made with Canola Oil" from the American Diabetes Association and Canola

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1219.shtml

Ingredients

Mayonnaise

1/2 ripe medium avocado, peeled and pitted

2 Tbsp canola mayonnaise 30

1 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1 Tbsp water

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Burgers

1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 of (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper

1/3 cup quick-cooking oats

2 large egg whites

1 Tbsp canola oil

1/8 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

canola oil cooking spray

4 whole-wheat hamburger buns, split and toasted

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

4 tomato slices

4 lettuce leaves

4 lime wedges (optional)

Directions

Place canola mayonnaise ingredients in a blender, secure lid, and puree until smooth.

Place beans in a gallon-size resealable bag. Using a meat mallet, pound beans to a coarse texture, resembling lumpy mashed potatoes. Place beans in a medium bowl and add bell pepper, oats, egg whites, canola oil, and cayenne pepper. Mix well and shape into four patties.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with canola oil cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add patties and cook 4 minutes on each side or until they begin to lightly brown. The patties will be fragile, so be sure to turn them gently.

To assemble, spoon 1 Tbsp canola mayonnaise mixture on each bun half. Top each bottom bun with burger, onion, a tomato slice, and a lettuce leaf. Place bun tops over each. Serve with lime wedges. Fresh tip: If desired, omit the buns and serve the patties on the lettuce leaf, tomato slice, and onion. Spoon the mayonnaise mixture on top of the patties and serve with lime wedges.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 300; Protein: 19 g; Fat: 12 g; Sodium: 785 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 1.8 g; Dietary Fiber: 10 g; Carbohydrates: 33 g

SPICY LENTIL RICE BURGERS [VEGAN]

This is from Maya Sozer on One Green Planet. Maya wrote, "This recipe is simple and quick. Made primarily with lentils, brown rice, and sunflower seeds, these patties are protein and fiber dense, so you can nosh knowing that you’re eating a wholesome and filling dish. A little vegan mayo goes great with this particular recipe: it has that cool-down creaminess without overshadowing the taste of the burger."

Cooking Time: 10 minutes; Serves 3

To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/spicy-lentil-rice-burgers/.

Ingredients

For the Patties:

2 tablespoons olive oil

3/4 cup brown rice, cooked

3/4 cup red lentils, cooked

1/2 cup panko bread

1/2 cup sunflower seed kernels

1/2 red onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon garam masala

1 teaspoon cumin

2 teaspoons red chili pepper flakes

Salt, to taste

For Garnish:

Vegan mayonnaise

Lettuce

Pickled jalapeño peppers

Avocado slices

Microgreens

Directions


Pulse all the ingredients in the food processor a few times until more or less uniformly mixed. Don't overdo it though, leave some texture.

Taste and adjust the salt.

Shape into patties and cook both sides in a pan until a golden-brown crust develops.

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Burgers And Fixings

Is there any more iconic summer food (at least here in the U.S.) than Burgers And Fixings? Maybe not...

Many of us grew up eating hamburgers made out of ground beef. But if you're a vegetarian, you've switched over to veggie burgers, either found in the frozen food aisle at your local store, or made from scratch. To that end, here are several veggie burgers, as well as sides to go with 'em, including BBQ Tempeh Burgers and The Best Creamy Coleslaw, as well as Al Roker's Baked Sweet Potato Fries. Enjoy!

SPICY LENTIL RICE BURGERS [VEGAN]

This is from Maya Sozer on One Green Planet. Maya wrote, "This recipe is simple and quick. Made primarily with lentils, brown rice, and sunflower seeds, these patties are protein and fiber dense, so you can nosh knowing that you’re eating a wholesome and filling dish. A little vegan mayo goes great with this particular recipe: it has that cool-down creaminess without overshadowing the taste of the burger."

Cooking Time: 10 minutes; Serves 3

To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/spicy-lentil-rice-burgers/.

Ingredients

For the Patties:

2 tablespoons olive oil

3/4 cup brown rice, cooked

3/4 cup red lentils, cooked

1/2 cup panko bread

1/2 cup sunflower seed kernels

1/2 red onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon garam masala

1 teaspoon cumin

2 teaspoons red chili pepper flakes

Salt, to taste

For Garnish:

Vegan mayonnaise

Lettuce

Pickled jalapeño peppers

Avocado slices

Microgreens

Directions


Pulse all the ingredients in the food processor a few times until more or less uniformly mixed. Don't overdo it though, leave some texture.

Taste and adjust the salt.

Shape into patties and cook both sides in a pan until a golden-brown crust develops.

AL’S VEGGIE BURGER

This is from TODAY’s Al Roker. The recipe begins, “TODAY's Al Roker may make a mean patty melt, BBQ brisket and rack of ribs, but he's also makes a great veggie burger. A mixture of black beans and mushrooms forms the base of his hearty and filling patties that are topped with a creamy and spicy Sriracha mayo. Serve the burgers with Al's Baked Sweet Potato Fries and you've got fast, easy and delicious meatless dinner for four.” Servings: 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1/2 cup white onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cans black beans, drained

10 medium button mushrooms, stems removed

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 egg

1/2 cup cooked brown rice

1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

1/4 cup Sriracha

1/2 cup mayonnaise

4 whole wheat buns

6 leaves Bibb lettuce

1 tomato, sliced

1 avocado, sliced

Preparation

In a large non-stick skillet, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and sauté the garlic and onion until cooked. Set aside.

In a food processor, add 1 can of the drained black beans and the mushrooms. Pulse five to six times. The mixture should be slightly chunky.

In a large bowl, combine the bean and mushroom mixture, cooked onions and garlic, second can of drained black beans, cumin, salt and pepper, egg, brown rice and whole wheat bread crumbs. Mix together until combined and then form into 4 burger patties.

Preheat the oven to 350°.

In a non-stick skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the patties and brown them on both sides. Place the burgers in the oven and cook until the center is cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes.

In a small bowl, add the Sriracha and mayonnaise. Stir to combine.

To build each burger, smear the Sriracha mayo on the bottom buns, then add the burger, lettuce, tomato, avocado and top bun.

Serve with Al's Baked Sweet Potato Fries and extra Sriracha mayo on the side.

BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

Of course, Al Roker’s Baked Sweet Potato Fries have to follow his veggie burger recipe, right? This recipe begins, “The finishing touch to Al Roker's no-brainer sweet potato fries is a delicious spice mixture of cinnamon and cayenne pepper. You can also skip the spices and simply toss the sweet potato batons with olive oil, salt and pepper.” Cook Time: 18 minutes; Prep Time: 2 minutes; Servings: 4 - 6.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, washed well

2 tablespoons cooking oil suitable for high heat, like safflower oil

2 teaspoons salt

2-3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon (or to taste) ground cayenne

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400F, convection setting. Line a large sheet pan with foil and lightly grease. Cut unpeeled potatoes lengthwise into 1/4" thick square rods, or 'fries.' Place in a large bowl and toss with oil and salt. In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and cayenne. Add the mixture to the fries and toss well to coat evenly.

Place in oven and bake about 18 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned. Serve warm.

THE BEST CREAMY COLESLAW

This comes from the Food Network, and begins, "We made our cool, crunchy slaw with just the right amount of tang from sour cream and vinegar. A bit of honey balances the acidity. This classic summer side dish would be welcome at any picnic or backyard BBQ."

Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/the-best-creamy-coleslaw-7447977.

Ingredients

5 cups thinly sliced green cabbage

1 cup grated carrots

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon celery salt

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Toss together the cabbage and carrots in a large bowl.

Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, mustard, honey and celery salt in a medium bowl. Pour the dressing over the shredded vegetables and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Season with more salt and pepper before serving.

SPICY COLESLAW

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, "This easy, crisp slaw can be made a few hours ahead of time. It goes well with ribs and a cold beer, fried chicken or whatever summer feast sparks your fancy."

Yield: Serves 6; Time: 10 minutes, plus hours' refrigeration

This was featured in "Lone Star", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012539-spicy-coleslaw.

Ingredients

1 medium head green cabbage

2 carrots, peeled and grated

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons pickle relish

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

2 teaspoons pepper sauce, like Frank’s, or to taste

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Cut the cabbage in half and remove the core. Cut each half in half and slice each resulting quarter into thin ribbons. Mix with carrots in a large, nonreactive bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients.

Pour the dressing over the cabbage and toss. Season to taste.

The coleslaw may be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for a few hours. Toss again before serving.

BBQ TEMPEH BURGERS

This recipe is from Vegetarian Times, and can be found at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/vegan-vegetarian-recipes/entrees/5-healthy-plant-based-burger-recipes/. It begins, “The nutty flavor and meaty texture of tempeh makes it a natural fit for veggie burgers, and ounce for ounce, it contains twice the protein as tofu. Adding pinto beans means a big magnesium boost, which can help reduce your risk for diseases such as diabetes.”

Hands-On Time: 25 Minutes; Cook Time: 8 Minutes; Makes: 4 Servings

Ingredients

2 tsp oil

1 cup onions, chopped

1 cup carrots, chopped

1/4 tsp salt

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 cup cooked or canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup wheat germ

juice of 1/2 lime

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp almond or peanut butter

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp liquid smoke, optional

1 (8 oz) package tempeh, cubed

2 tbsp sesame seeds

4 hamburger buns

1/3 cup low-sugar barbecue sauce

1 cup roasted red peppers, sliced

2 cups cabbage, shredded

Directions

Heat oil in a skillet over medium. Add onions, carrots and salt and cook until onions have softened and darkened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. To a food processor container, add cooked vegetables, pinto beans, wheat germ, lime juice, tomato paste, nut butter, maple syrup, soy sauce, chili powder and liquid smoke (if using). Pulse until beans are roughly mashed but not pureed. Add tempeh and pulse until just incorporated. Form into 4 patties. Spread sesame seeds out on a plate and coat both sides of burgers with seeds. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Heat grill to medium and grease grates. Cook burgers until browned and warmed through, about 4 minutes per side. Serve on buns with equal amounts of barbecue sauce, red peppers and cabbage.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): calories 432, fat 16 g, carbs 56 g, fiber 11 g, sugar 7 g, protein 23 g, sodium 472 mg

Nutrition Boost: The beans and cabbage in this burger provide an insane amount of belly-friendly dietary fiber.

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Burgers And Fixings

Is there any more iconic summer food (at least here in the U.S.) than Burgers And Fixings? Maybe not...

Many of us grew up eating hamburgers made out of ground beef. But if you're a vegetarian, you've switched over to veggie burgers, either found in the frozen food aisle at your local store, or made from scratch. To that end, here are several veggie burgers, as well as sides to go with 'em, including BBQ Tempeh Burgers and The Best Creamy Coleslaw, as well as Al Roker's Baked Sweet Potato Fries. Enjoy!

SPICY LENTIL RICE BURGERS [VEGAN]

This is from Maya Sozer on One Green Planet. Maya wrote, "This recipe is simple and quick. Made primarily with lentils, brown rice, and sunflower seeds, these patties are protein and fiber dense, so you can nosh knowing that you’re eating a wholesome and filling dish. A little vegan mayo goes great with this particular recipe: it has that cool-down creaminess without overshadowing the taste of the burger."

Cooking Time: 10 minutes; Serves 3

To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/spicy-lentil-rice-burgers/.

Ingredients

For the Patties:

2 tablespoons olive oil

3/4 cup brown rice, cooked

3/4 cup red lentils, cooked

1/2 cup panko bread

1/2 cup sunflower seed kernels

1/2 red onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon garam masala

1 teaspoon cumin

2 teaspoons red chili pepper flakes

Salt, to taste

For Garnish:

Vegan mayonnaise

Lettuce

Pickled jalapeño peppers

Avocado slices

Microgreens

Directions


Pulse all the ingredients in the food processor a few times until more or less uniformly mixed. Don't overdo it though, leave some texture.

Taste and adjust the salt.

Shape into patties and cook both sides in a pan until a golden-brown crust develops.

AL’S VEGGIE BURGER

This is from TODAY’s Al Roker. The recipe begins, “TODAY's Al Roker may make a mean patty melt, BBQ brisket and rack of ribs, but he's also makes a great veggie burger. A mixture of black beans and mushrooms forms the base of his hearty and filling patties that are topped with a creamy and spicy Sriracha mayo. Serve the burgers with Al's Baked Sweet Potato Fries and you've got fast, easy and delicious meatless dinner for four.” Servings: 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1/2 cup white onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cans black beans, drained

10 medium button mushrooms, stems removed

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 egg

1/2 cup cooked brown rice

1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

1/4 cup Sriracha

1/2 cup mayonnaise

4 whole wheat buns

6 leaves Bibb lettuce

1 tomato, sliced

1 avocado, sliced

Preparation

In a large non-stick skillet, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and sauté the garlic and onion until cooked. Set aside.

In a food processor, add 1 can of the drained black beans and the mushrooms. Pulse five to six times. The mixture should be slightly chunky.

In a large bowl, combine the bean and mushroom mixture, cooked onions and garlic, second can of drained black beans, cumin, salt and pepper, egg, brown rice and whole wheat bread crumbs. Mix together until combined and then form into 4 burger patties.

Preheat the oven to 350°.

In a non-stick skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the patties and brown them on both sides. Place the burgers in the oven and cook until the center is cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes.

In a small bowl, add the Sriracha and mayonnaise. Stir to combine.

To build each burger, smear the Sriracha mayo on the bottom buns, then add the burger, lettuce, tomato, avocado and top bun.

Serve with Al's Baked Sweet Potato Fries and extra Sriracha mayo on the side.

BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

Of course, Al Roker’s Baked Sweet Potato Fries have to follow his veggie burger recipe, right? This recipe begins, “The finishing touch to Al Roker's no-brainer sweet potato fries is a delicious spice mixture of cinnamon and cayenne pepper. You can also skip the spices and simply toss the sweet potato batons with olive oil, salt and pepper.” Cook Time: 18 minutes; Prep Time: 2 minutes; Servings: 4 - 6.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, washed well

2 tablespoons cooking oil suitable for high heat, like safflower oil

2 teaspoons salt

2-3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon (or to taste) ground cayenne

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400F, convection setting. Line a large sheet pan with foil and lightly grease. Cut unpeeled potatoes lengthwise into 1/4" thick square rods, or 'fries.' Place in a large bowl and toss with oil and salt. In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon and cayenne. Add the mixture to the fries and toss well to coat evenly.

Place in oven and bake about 18 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned. Serve warm.

THE BEST CREAMY COLESLAW

This comes from the Food Network, and begins, "We made our cool, crunchy slaw with just the right amount of tang from sour cream and vinegar. A bit of honey balances the acidity. This classic summer side dish would be welcome at any picnic or backyard BBQ."

Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/the-best-creamy-coleslaw-7447977.

Ingredients

5 cups thinly sliced green cabbage

1 cup grated carrots

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon celery salt

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Toss together the cabbage and carrots in a large bowl.

Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, mustard, honey and celery salt in a medium bowl. Pour the dressing over the shredded vegetables and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Season with more salt and pepper before serving.

SPICY COLESLAW

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, "This easy, crisp slaw can be made a few hours ahead of time. It goes well with ribs and a cold beer, fried chicken or whatever summer feast sparks your fancy."

Yield: Serves 6; Time: 10 minutes, plus hours' refrigeration

This was featured in "Lone Star", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012539-spicy-coleslaw.

Ingredients

1 medium head green cabbage

2 carrots, peeled and grated

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons pickle relish

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

2 teaspoons pepper sauce, like Frank’s, or to taste

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Cut the cabbage in half and remove the core. Cut each half in half and slice each resulting quarter into thin ribbons. Mix with carrots in a large, nonreactive bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients.

Pour the dressing over the cabbage and toss. Season to taste.

The coleslaw may be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for a few hours. Toss again before serving.

BBQ TEMPEH BURGERS

This recipe is from Vegetarian Times, and can be found at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/vegan-vegetarian-recipes/entrees/5-healthy-plant-based-burger-recipes/. It begins, “The nutty flavor and meaty texture of tempeh makes it a natural fit for veggie burgers, and ounce for ounce, it contains twice the protein as tofu. Adding pinto beans means a big magnesium boost, which can help reduce your risk for diseases such as diabetes.”

Hands-On Time: 25 Minutes; Cook Time: 8 Minutes; Makes: 4 Servings

Ingredients

2 tsp oil

1 cup onions, chopped

1 cup carrots, chopped

1/4 tsp salt

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 cup cooked or canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup wheat germ

juice of 1/2 lime

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp almond or peanut butter

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp liquid smoke, optional

1 (8 oz) package tempeh, cubed

2 tbsp sesame seeds

4 hamburger buns

1/3 cup low-sugar barbecue sauce

1 cup roasted red peppers, sliced

2 cups cabbage, shredded

Directions

Heat oil in a skillet over medium. Add onions, carrots and salt and cook until onions have softened and darkened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. To a food processor container, add cooked vegetables, pinto beans, wheat germ, lime juice, tomato paste, nut butter, maple syrup, soy sauce, chili powder and liquid smoke (if using). Pulse until beans are roughly mashed but not pureed. Add tempeh and pulse until just incorporated. Form into 4 patties. Spread sesame seeds out on a plate and coat both sides of burgers with seeds. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Heat grill to medium and grease grates. Cook burgers until browned and warmed through, about 4 minutes per side. Serve on buns with equal amounts of barbecue sauce, red peppers and cabbage.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): calories 432, fat 16 g, carbs 56 g, fiber 11 g, sugar 7 g, protein 23 g, sodium 472 mg

Nutrition Boost: The beans and cabbage in this burger provide an insane amount of belly-friendly dietary fiber.