Greek (Inspired) Vegetarian Burger

One of my high school mates shared a Greek Turkey Burger recipe with me on Facebook.  At first I was taken aback, but then she offered that I could turn this into a Vegetarian Burger...and so I did!

If you want the recipe from root to stem, drop a comment and follow!!!

Directions.

Follow this recipe for the basis of your burger mix.  Add a 1/2 cup diced black olives.  You may also boast more protein by simply adding 1 cup cooked brown lentils.  I do!!!

I use a scale to make sure all of my burgers have approximately the same mass.  If you do not own a scale, use the 1/3 measure cup.  With each portioned burger, you will add 1-2 T of Vital Wheat Gluten.  This will help hold your mix together along with steaming it.  If you have a steamer use it.  Otherwise use a double boil system of a strainer or colander over a pot of boiling water. 

The secret to its form is the spring form pan. 

After mixing in your gluten, allow the burgers to rest in the refrigerator while you prepare your steam pan and mix your tzatziki dressing.

Form your patties by pressing them into the spring form pans.  Place pans into the double-boil or steam system.  You should steam this for an hour.  Then let the burger rest and cool for an additional 30 minutes.  Broil.  Dress to your desire, but keep it Greek!!!

Steaming

Veggie Burger Sliders w/ Warm Relish

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For Super Bowl LII, I opted to not do anything that would stress me out, considering I really did not have a team to support.  However it was a great game and full of excitement.  Congratulations to the Eagles!  

All I needed to do was make slider buns.  Now sure you can do this with four-squared bread, but I was ready to make some bread.  I literally placed it on my 'to do list'.  I even secured some fresh dry yeast.

Thawed veggie burgers and divided each one into fourths.  Everything else was basic cooking and preparation.

The yeast bread/roll recipe can be found right here on this blog: multigrain yeast rolls.  The warm relish consisted of sauteed green peppers, onions, and diced Morningstar Farms bacon.  Delish! The sliders were a culinary hit!  

spicy black bean burgers

Ingredients

1 can Bush Black Beans (divided in half)

1 c cooked brown rice

¼ c diced red onion

¼ c diced (heirloom peppers)

1 t minced garlic

Salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder

3 T Gluten Free bread crumbs

1-2 T ground flax

1 T olive oil or coconut oil

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Blend ½ the can of beans. Mix with remaining beans and the other ingredients. Form into burgers to your desired shape and size. Place portions onto a lightly oiled cooking or baking sheet. Bake until brown on both sides.

black bean dip

Black Bean Dip with Garlic, Olive Oil & Jalapeno's.

Soak black beans overnight or for 5-6 hours. Rinse. Fill pot with cold water two inches above bean line. Bring to a boil and reduce to a low simmer. Cover. Cook for 8-12 hours or until a soft mash. If beans are crumbling they are still dry and need to cook longer. Add more water and continue to cook until tender. Allow them to cool. Strain liquid. Blend them with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, few drops of honey, and cayenne pepper. Added a few jalapeno's to kick it up a bit more. Great post workout snack.

black bean burgers

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup dry black beans cooked tender (makes about a cup of cooked beans) ground lightly but not into paste
1 slice of ground whole grain bread
3 T ground flax
2/3 cup assorted vegetables...ground: red peppers, green peppers, yellow peppers, orange peppers, carrots, onion, and celery. Saute vegetables in vegetable oil
1/2 cup corn

*season to taste...but red pepper, chili pepper, onion powder, cumin, and cayenne are preferred

Saute vegetables. Mix ingredients thoroughly and allow it to chill in the refrigerator for an hour to set. Lightly oil a skillet bring to medium heat. Form burgers with a half cup measurement. Press into hot oil with fork. Brown to your desire on each side. Remove and serve with with your choice: lettuce, tomato, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.