Lately vegetarianism has been the subject of the lunch table. One of the biggest lies I hear besides "I could never go vegetarian or I'll die" is "I'd be vegetarian but it's waaayy too expensive". Ok, maybe that is true... If you 1.) eat off the McDonald's $1 menu every day, all day or 2.) waste your paycheck on protein supplements and fancy organic meat substitutes. On the subject of that ole' farmer, I have a mock Big Mac patty recipe that feeds a family of four for under $10.00. Everything reheats great in the microwave for a quick lunch at school or work too.
Ingredients:
- 1 can black beans
- 1 palm-sized potato
- 2 Tbsp BBQ sauce
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- Salt & pepper
- Burger condiments & buns
To make your patty mix:
- Set aside a few spoonfuls liquid from the bean can and rinse the beans.
- In a large bowl, mash up the beans with a fork until no large clumps remain.
- Use a cheese grater to shred the potato. If you don't have a cheese grater, dice the potato and microwave for 3 minutes, then mash it up. Fold potato into the mashed beans.
- Fold in salt, pepper, vinegar, and BBQ sauce to the mix. If it is too thick, add some of the bean liquid you set aside earlier.
- Cover mixture and place it in the fridge for ar least 1/2 hour.
Burger flippin' time!
Preheat a greased griddle to 375 degrees F. Scoop handfuls of patty mix onto the hot griddle and flatten them out, like you're making pancakes. Let them brown on each side for about 2-3 minutes, just so the outside gets gold and crispy and the inside isn't mushy.
If you're too busy for flipping patties like a true frycook, you can bake these like cookies. Place handfuls of patty mix onto a foiled baking sheet and flatten them out a bit. Hint: the thicker you make the patty, the longer it will take to cook! At 350 degrees F, bake for about 45 minutes, flip them, and bake for another 10 minutes.
Preheat a greased griddle to 375 degrees F. Scoop handfuls of patty mix onto the hot griddle and flatten them out, like you're making pancakes. Let them brown on each side for about 2-3 minutes, just so the outside gets gold and crispy and the inside isn't mushy.
If you're too busy for flipping patties like a true frycook, you can bake these like cookies. Place handfuls of patty mix onto a foiled baking sheet and flatten them out a bit. Hint: the thicker you make the patty, the longer it will take to cook! At 350 degrees F, bake for about 45 minutes, flip them, and bake for another 10 minutes.
Now top some buns with your bean burgers, onion, lettuce, pickles, tomato, ketchup, mustard, vegan cheese, and vegan mayo for a killer (actually healthier and cheap, unlike the real killer--McDonald's 'heart attack on a bun') burger! Its got all the protein and none of the preservatives of a fast food dive. Just don't forget the secret sauce... because I did. Sorry! Well what do I seem like to you, the Starship Food Synthesizer? HAH! Anyway, try this recipe and tell us what you think!