I love to know what other people are into, what they like to do, where they like to shop, what they like to eat...so I asked some of my followers what recipes interest them and got some really good responses! 

One of the requests was for a great vegan burger.   The following recipes are two of the best I found, but for convenience sake, next time you just want to pop something on the grill, try the ready to cook ones from Morning Star Farms.  I had them at my sister-in-law’s house as everyone else was chowing down on cheeseburgers and grilled chicken.  They have the flavor of a burger but are totally vegan (LOVE!) and you don’t have to slave away in the kitchen!  I had mine on a whole wheat roll with lettuce and a little ketchup and dijon mustard for a kick.  While you’re at the convenience side of things, throw some Alexia brand baked fries on a tray in the oven and bake until hot and golden.  It’s the perfect little vegan BBQ meal without any of the guilt of the usual kind!

If you have both the time and the inclination, grab these grocery items, your utensils and a cute little apron and whip up one of these recipes!  I can’t take the credit for them, but I think they sound great!

Mushroom and Bean Burgers:

2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 green onions, diced
1/2 tsp cumin
3/4 cup diced fresh mushrooms
1 15 ounce can pinto beans
1 tsp parsley
salt and pepper to taste
oil for frying

Sautee the onions and garlic in olive oil for 3 to 5 minutes, until onions are soft. Add the green onions, cumin and mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes, until mushrooms are cooked. Set aside.

Mash the beans with a fork or a potato masher, or process in a food processor until well mashed.

Add the mushrooms to the beans and add parsley, salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.

Shape the mixture into patties. Heat about two tablespoons of olive oil and cook each patty until the veggie burgers are done, about 3 minutes on each side.

Potato Latke Burgers:

1 cup canned black beans
1 carrot, grated
1/2 onion, diced
3 potatoes, grated
4 scallions, chopped
1 cup corn
salt and pepper to taste
oil for frying

Mash the beans with a fork or a potato masher. Add the remaining ingredients, except the oil and mix until well combined.

Shape the mixture into patties. Heat about two tablespoons of olive oil and cook each patty until the veggie burgers are done, about 3 minutes on each side.


Veg and the City