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

Spinach Pepper Jack Cheese Pinwheels

Start with the multigrain roll recipe here.

This is a great recipe that can be used for pizza as well.  I like to make a recipe and then divide it into fourths.  Last Friday I wanted pizza, then had a chance to experiment with pinwheels.

Spread melted margarine!

Add Pepper Jack Cheese, sauteed onion and bacon, salt pepper

Top with spinach and roll...

Just like you would a log of cinnamon rolls!

Using a bread cutting knife and cut into pinwheels.
Cover for 20 mins. (with plastic under a towel) in a warm place.
Brush the tops and sides with mix of 1 T melted margarine and milk.
For the pinwheels I added ranch seasoning!

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown

As you can see, I baked both side-by-side in an 11" x 7" brownie pan found at Dollar Tree.  I usually use a silpat mat and I did this time, but I also lined the pan with some parchment and sprayed butter.

Because this was not a full recipe, I used what I had in the freezer saved from other cooking preps.

The ingredients for the Pinwheels:  thawed spinach-strained (Stevia), sauteed onions & Morningstar Farms Bacon, minced garlic, salt, pepper jack cheese, ranch seasoning.  

Sesame Cauliflower

You are going to start with that fried cauliflower, courtesy of your very own air fryer.  If you do not own one, the traditional frying in a sauce pot of oil works just fine.  The difference is that you will need to make sure the oil is very hot so that browning can commence early.  You want this to happen to ensure that a bit of a bite remains in the cauliflower.

Sesame Cauliflower, Fried Vegetable Brown Rice,
& Steamed Broccoli

Next...

Sauce Ingredients & Preparation
1 T Tomato Paste (or 3 T Pasta Sauce)
1 pinch Smoked Paprika
2-3 T Brown Sugar
2 T Soy Sauce
2 T White Vinegar
2 t Corn Starch
1/4 c Water
1/4 t Sesame Seeds

Mix the corn starch and water to make slurry.  Then add all of the ingredients into a sauce pot, and bring the heat up to medium-high, stirring with a whisk.

You want the sauce to be thick enough to hold to the cauliflower but not like a syrup or glue.  If you need to thin it with a little water, do so at 1 T at a time.  Remove sauce from heat.  Let it stand for 5 minutes.  Toss your fried cauliflower into the sauce.  Plate and Serve with Sesame Seeds on top.  

Fresh Mixed Berry Jam

Ingredients
1 lemon (juice & zest)
1/4 c sugar
1 c strawberries
1/2 c blueberries
1-2 T corn starch or pectin
water
Utensils
sauce pot
small canning jar
potato masher

Preparation.  Prepare jar for canning by sterilizing it and the lid in boiling water, for 10 minutes.

Place berries in a sauce pot.  Add sugar, lemon juice (whole lemon), and zest (half lemon).  Bring up heat to med-low.  Mash berries with potato masher.  Increase heat.  Boil until thickened (15-20 mins.).  Scoop 1 cup out and mix in the starch.  Stir until dissolve.  Pour cup back into the pot.  Stir until it becomes gelatinous. Pour into glass jar.  Cover with lid.  Cool at room temperature.  Place into refrigerator and use for up to two-weeks.

Beyond Meat New Product & Coupon Download

In case you are not registered (Why are you not registered?) with beyondmeat.com, I received two great gifts in my email yesterday. 

(1) Debut of "beyond" sausage, achieving great reviews, and it is sure to turn up near you!

(2) Coupon - Expiration Date 3/31/18!

Arkansas Pepper Sauce

I inherited this recipe from my mother.  Modify as you wish.  I do!

My parents were from Arkansas, raised on farms, thus a huge fan of living on the land, subtracting the middle man. When they migrated north and settled in Michigan, they brought those traditions with them and they served us well.  My dad hunted, my mom skinned it. We had fruit trees (cherry, pear, and apple) and those whole foods along with the rich and festive gardens were a staple for our large family.

I tender this recipe as Arkansas Pepper Sauce because I received it by request, then embellished it to my flavor (garlic, spices), and thus became a huge fan of canning.  You can do it using any jar, just make it clean and handle with care.

Ingredients
jalepeno, whole or sliced peppers
white vinegar
water
1-2 T minced or sliced garlic
1 t -1 T peppercorns
1-2 T olive oil (any oil will do)
dash of dill weed
dash of Italian herbs (rosemary, basil, oregano)
1/4 to 1 t salt (table or sea salt) to taste
1t to 1 T sugar to taste


Supplies
jars with lids
measuring cup
tablespoon
strainer opt.

Instructions: You may use any jars you like, though mason is preferred.  Just clean with hot soap water, rinse with hot water, and air dry.  Here comes the science.  The amount of brine you create originates from the size of the jar you select and the amount of peppers you elect to can.

Place sliced or whole peppers washed peppers into your selected jar, fill with water, leaving about 1/2 -1 inch space between the water line/peppers and the rim of the jar.  Now take this water and pour into your measuring cup.  This is the minimum amount of liquid to create your brine.  Keep track of this measurement, but discard the water, leaving the peppers inside of the jar.

Measure your vinegar from that measurement of water from earlier.  Pour that vinegar into a small pot.  Add from 1 t to 1 T of sugar, but do not be afraid to taste.  Add salt to taste, then minced garlic.  The rest of your spices and olive oil are placed inside of the jar atop of the peppers.  Bring the pot of vinegar, sugar, salt, and garlic to a boil.

Pour your brine over your peppers, remember not to overfill, keeping mind of the 1/2 - 1 inch space between the liquid/pepper line and the rim of the jar.  If you wind up with more liquid, use the strainer to separate the last of the liquid with the garlic.  Then place the garlic into the jar.  Screw the top on, give it a gentle whirl to mix.  Wipe jar clean and tilt to remove bubbles. 

Set on the counter to cool.  If you are using canning jars, use the seal test to determine ready for use.  You do this by pressing your finger onto the lid.  If sealed it will not pop back.  If not sealed, refrigerate for use.  Store up to one year.

Taco Salad

Ingredients
sliced carrot
sliced jalepeno's
diced cucumber
chopped green pepper
chopped tomato
chopped onion
chopped Romaine lettuce
jalepeno's
shredded cheese
sour cream
taco sauce
taco seasoning
tortilla chips
Gardein burger (thawed, ground)

Preparation.  I thawed three vegetable burgers and ground them in a chopper.  Using a couple of T of olive oil, add ground burgers to skillet, Brown, season, then de-glaze pan with a little water.

Prep your salad.  I like to do this in layers, placing lettuce on the bottom then a few chips, add small drops of sour cream, cheese, veggies, repeat.  When you reach the top, sprinkle your vegetable crumbles and the rest of your toppings.  Add more sour cream and taco sauce.  And you're done!