Sunday, April 06, 2008

Burgers, Poppers, and Patties

I planned a relatively easy-to-prepare Sunday dinner this week. Chase is miserable with a head cold and I’m still catching up on errands and chores. He must be awfully sick because he couldn’t make it over for dinner tonight. But dinner will keep until he feels like eating again. I, however, couldn’t wait. You know, easy cooking is still good cooking. So here’s what I had… all alone….

Broccoli Burgers – what took me so long?!!! These burger patties are made with chopped broccoli, sunflower sprouts, and green onions, and mixed with peanut butter and spices. Oh, man, broccoli and peanut butter are my most favorite foods. It’s hard to believe this mix …..



... made such great burgers, but it sure did. I dredged the patties in oat flour and pan fried them. Chase would have put his burger on a fresh whole wheat bun. I had mine sans bun to keep it gluten free. So imagine mine on a bun: with crisp iceberg lettuce, wasabi mustard, more sprouts, and pickled ginger. Really really delicious.




Jalapeno Poppers - A burger is pretty much a complete meal in itself – you got your protein patty, veggie fixin’s, and grain bun – but for a side I had to try a recipe for Raw Jalapeno Poppers. The jalapenos are filled with a cool and creamy mashed avocado seasoned with lime juice, salt, and cumin. Yeah, it’s pretty much guac in a pepper. My jalapenos weren’t terribly hot and I liked these a whole whole lot. These will be a regular.


See, I was hoping to clear Chase’s head with the wasabi and jalapenos. Oh, well, mine is clear!

And now the patties, the easiest Chocolate Covered Mint Patties ever! I went to the bakery supply shop recently to pick up a few necessities. For Chase’s birthday cake I really wanted to use fondant, but figured it was no time to experiment. So while at the supply shop I got an idea to use fondant to make peppermint patties. It’s so smooth and creamy and holds its shape, and all I would need to do is add the peppermint flavor, cut out rounds, and cover them in melted chocolate. So that’s what I did! I only wish I had thought to buy peppermint oil because I had to use 4 teaspoons of extract in 8 ounces of fondant. I also would have added some clear vanilla extract to take that “commercial” edge off, but I didn’t have any of that either (I have dark Mexican vanilla). So here’s the fondant, rolled and being cut.


And here they are done, ready to set at room temp.


I cleaned up the edges with a paring knife after they were set. I made 2 dozen patties and had left over fondant, so 8 ounces will make plenty. I cut one open for you to see. Not the most professional, but they taste wonderful and they’re vegan and I made them myself!



Oh, and I also made a double batch of Vcon Tamarind Lentils to have on hand throughout the week. Smart idea because they are so yummy!


Ta-ta!

26 comments:

Amy said...

I don't know what to drool over first??!?!?! The burger pattie (YUM) the peppermint patties (double YUM) or the Tamarind Lentils (YUM YUM YUM!)

I'm coming over seeing as Chase can't make it :P

Anonymous said...

Those patties look DIVINE!

Lindsay (Happy Herbivore) said...

everything looks perfect! gorgeous! I have always wanted a vegan jalapeno popper! YUM & what a great burger idea... and I will have to echo Romina's choice in language... those mint patties look divine!

Judy said...

Those broccoli burgers look awesome, as do the fondant cookies.

As for calcium and magnesium, increasing those minerals will definitely help with aches and pains. Also, eliminating or reducing consumption of nightshade veggies (zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers) might help since these foods are known to cause inflammation. And omega 3 is good for inflammation as well, so eat more flax seeds or oil, or simply get a supplement. If you have any more questions, feel free :)

Don't Get Mad, Get Vegan! said...

oh my! those patties! what a brilliant idea!

and i have to admit, those broccoli burgers are exactly what i've been craving lately. i haven't made my own burgers in a while and i've been at a loss as to what direction to go with. these sound (and look) perfect! i doubt i'll be able to get my hands on sprouts. is sprouting the seeds yourself easy? i also would likely opt for almond butter because the combo with broccoli is just to die for but YUM, does that look good!

and i keep drooling over those lentils. everyone raves about them. must get. tamarind paste. ;)

bazu said...

broccoli burger sounds so good! and raw jalapeño poppers sound incredibly intense- that would clear my sinuses! your mint patties look really awesome and professional. I love chocolate + mint.

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

Ooh look, it's something chocolate-covered!!!

I love the presentation of the poppers. They look so appetizing, in all their green glory.

Wheeler's Frozen Dessert said...

Everything looks so delicious! I definitely need to try those jalapeño poppers. Avocado/Guacamole is one of my favorite foods!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

oh. my. goodness. gracious. TOO MUCH DELICIOUSNESS, DIANN!!!

Kayla said...

Wow, broccoli burgers. What an amazing combination! I love the idea of all the flavors combining to make such an erratic, yet delicious burger. The jalepeno poppers are cute and yummy looking, too!

Lori- the Pleasantly Plump Vegan said...

man those broccoli burgers look soooooooo good! and yr a genius with those peppermint patties. i use to love peppermint patties!

urban vegan said...

You are amazing, lady. Those broc-burgers have me drooling...and the poppers! Oh, my my,

Funny you posted the tamarind lentils. I am planning on trying them tomorrow night.

Anardana said...

I want to make those burgers now, and the patties!! Looks great, as usual!

Vegan_Noodle said...

I hope Chase is feeling better! Those broccoli patties look awesome... planon sharing your recipe with us? Pretty please?

And wow, those peppermint patties!! I have been planning to buy some fondant to practice with cakes and now I know at I'll do with what's leftover!

Anonymous said...

ummmm...i hear flights from austin to portland are a super steal right now. i shall see you at the airport!

oh, and beautiful photos. that cutting board you use looks pretty cool! is it one used for measuring pie dough diameters?

Amey said...

What a great post! Very nice combo of goodies - lentils, brocolli patties, and mint patties! I can't believe your mint patties. I am curious about fondant... I wonder if it's available in Santa Cruz? It seems like a neat thing to play with.

:) amey

Tofu Mom (AKA Tofu-n-Sprouts) said...

Oh! Fondant is such an obvious idea for peppermint patties and I had never given it any thought. I have a "from scratch" recipe somewhere on my blog for peppermint patties that are my daughters favorite - but yours sound easier!

There's a shop somewhere in Seattle that sells vegan ones too but I'd way rather make my own!

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Erin said...

What a creative idea for peppermint patties! Fondant has always scared me for some reason. I love the poppers and burgers too. And I love that you put so much though into your food!

Sam said...

I'm a HUGE chocolate/mint fan, and I used to consume Peppermint Patties on a daily basis. (Not kidding, if I would have bought stock in the company, I'd be richer than Bill Gates.) Yours are making me long for the cool minty goodness...

MeloMeals said...

What a brilliant idea for the peppermint patties!

Erik Marcus said...

I just blogged about your Peppermint Patties over at Vegan.com. I'm going to need to ask Skimpola to make a batch next time she joins me for dinner.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear that Chase isn't feeling well. I think there's a bug going around because I know a lot of people who are sick. I'm sure he was sorry to miss your weekly meal.

Everything looks so good, especially those broccoli burgers. I agree with Tofu Mom, I never thought of using fondant for peppermint patties before. What a perfect idea.

Edie

Avory said...

Where'd you get the broccoli burger recipe? It looks fabulous!

aTxVegn said...

Hi, Judith. The burger recipe came from "The Complete Vegan Kitchen."

Anonymous said...

the burgers looks very yummy and those Chocolate Covered Mint Patties oh my!!!!!! great idea.