HAPPY PLANT-POWERED NEW YEAR

When my teenage granddaughter slipped out her new smart phone at dinner on New Year’s Eve, not to text, but to photograph her loaded plate, I knew we had a winner!  And so with Sienna’s seal of approval and her photo, I share her burger platter to launch the new year.

The fat-free “fries” are pre-baked potatoes sliced and broiled on a non-stick pan 5 minutes/side.  The avocado, tomato, ketchup, steamed broccoli and whole grain bread accompany a Plant Burger made from a recipe in Lani Muelrath’s new book THE PLANT-BASED JOURNEY. I’ll be reviewing this terrific new guide for transitioning to a healthy lifestyle and achieving ideal weight in the next few days on this blog.  In the meanwhile the following recipe is the “template” for 4 Variations Lani includes in the section on PLANT BURGER TEMPLATE VARIATIONS: #1 Indian, #2 All-American, #3 Mexican, #4 Deluxe.  This book is loaded with fast, easy, delicious ideas for your Plant-Based Journey. Have a Happy, Healthy New Year.

PLANT BURGER TEMPLATE

BASE

1 15-oz can beans, rinsed and drained (1 1/2 cups)

1 cup cooked short-grain brown rice (for its sticky properties to hold burger together)

VEGETABLES/NUTS

1 ½ cups cut-up raw veggies (your choice onions, carrots, mushrooms, etc.)

¼ cup chopped nuts (your choice or optional)

BINDER

1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal or bread crumbs

SEASONINGS

2 cloves garlic, crushed, or ½ tsp garlic powder

1-2 tablespoons spices & seasonings, your choice

½ tsp salt

MOISTENER

2-3 tablespoons plant milk or veg broth or ketchup, etc.

CRISP COATING

¼ cup cornmeal or garbanzo flour

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1. Mash beans and mix with rice.
2. Add chopped veggies and nuts to beans and rice in bowl.
3. Add binder and seasonings and knead.  Chill for hour or more.
4. Form patties.
5. Dip and coat patties in flour.
6. Cook in nonstick pan over medium heat 5 mins/side or bake at 350 for 20 mins.

Yield: 7-8 palm size burgers

We tweaked this template to make the All-American Burger using kidney beans, carrots, onion, mushrooms, handful of chopped greens, 1 Tbls. vegetarian Worcester sauce, 2 Tbls. nutritional yeast from health food store, and 2 Tbls ketchup.