Tasty Bites: Mission: Meatless

By Candy, RN (Steele the Day)

One of the reasons we haven’t embraced meatless meals in the mainstream is because so many people are disappointed that the end result doesn’t taste like meat. We haven’t learned to enjoy the taste of a good healthy protein without meat. That’s understandable, as most of us grew up with meat as a main course.

This is a tasty sandwich that I hesitate to call a burger. It’s meatless, and not intended to be a meat “taste-alike.” It’s just a sandwich. The combination of rice and beans makes a complete protein and the variety of ingredients as well as the seasonings gives it fabulous flavor. It’s loaded with fiber and very filling.

I like to make these and freeze them for a quick run-out-the-door lunch. Warm it in the microwave, throw it on a bun (or not) and you have yourself a quick and tasty lunch.

This looks smashingly like the All-American burger, but it doesn’t taste like one.

It’s better.

Southwest Veggie Burgers
(makes 4 patties)

2 tablespoons molasses

2 tablespoons hickory barbeque Sauce

2 tablespoons canned beets -- chopped fine

1 tablespoon beet juice

1 -15 oz can black beans

4 tablespoons oat bran

2 cups brown rice (cooked)

1 egg

½ teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon jalapeno, finely diced

1 teaspoon chili powder

2 tablespoons grated onion

½ teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Stir together 2 T barbecue sauce and molasses. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mash beans, or process in food processor. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the barbecue mixture (reserving remaining for brushing) and remaining ingredients. Form into four patties. Patties will become more firm if you refrigerate them for about an hour at this point, which makes them easier to flip.

Heat olive oil in a cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook burgers for 2 minutes on one side. Turn and brush with remaining barbecue/molasses mixture. Cook another 3 minutes.

Serve with your favorite condiments on a toasted bun.

Candy Steele is a registered nurse who has worked with cardiac patients for over thirty years. “Functional foods” have become her passion, and she enjoys sharing her love of cooking, a random life and a faithful Jesus with her friends at Steele (the Day). She is blessed with three grown children, a new daughter-in-law, and a kind and patient husband who only knows how to fix popcorn (but she’s OK with that).

Comments

[Bridget]

These ingredients sound really good. I might need to experiment one of these days.

[MAD21]

This sounds so good. My problem is my hubby can't eat things like this (chrones). So it makes it hard for me to make stuff like this as a family dinner. I might just have to make some up and freeze them so I can try them when I'm on my own for a meal.

Thanks, Candy!

[Barbecue Recipes]

I love barbecues of all sorts, fish, chicken, pork, beef, name it! This one though I haven't tried. The ingredients sounds promising, I'm just not sure if it could actually taste like barbecue...Well, only one way to find out, I'll definitely try this one this coming weekends.

[Alixandra Hice]

If Candy makes it, it's going to be delish.

It really is true. If you are hoping to substitute vegetarian protein (soy, grains, veggies, beans) for animal protein, you will usually be disappointed. I tell that to my husband all the time. BUT, if you make those substitutions with an open mind, you will generally be able to appreciate the products as they are intended.... tasty, low-fat, fiber filled and healthy.

If you must have a burger, have a burger. A vegetarian product will likely not satisfy you. On the other hand, good food is good food. I actually enjoy soy based products a lot more than I thought I ever would. Once you give something new a chance, it's often surprising how delicious it is in its own right.

Thank you darling Candy. Imma try your recipe on Larry and will report back.

XO