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Saturday, May 12, 2012

Dust off those BBQ grills! (and a giveaway!)

We are dangerously close to summer, and nothing says summer like cooking outdoors on the grill.  And what better to cook on the grill then....you guessed it....veggie burgers!   While companies like Gardein and Wildwood have taken amazing strides forward in making a great premade veggie patties that taste good unlike their former hockey-puck-like predecessors, there's still nothing quite like a home made veggie burger.

I thought I'd kick off this grillin' season with a veggie burger that celebrates veggies in all of their glory!  You know, contrary to the belief of some of the reviewers over on Amazon, my book, The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet includes many burgers that are soy free, wheat free, and some that are even wheat and soy free.  The recipe below is soy free.  And in addition to the recipe below, I am giving away 2 signed copies of The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet.  Just leave a comment in the blog comments telling me your favorite meal to prepare on the grill and I will choose 2 random winners on Friday, May 18 at 6 pm PST.  (Yes, I will ship internationally!)   THIS CONTEST IS NOW OVER THE WINNERS ARE #30 CHARJ AND #40 MALINDA.  STAY TUNED FOR ANOTHER GIVEAWAY SOON.

Mushroom, Asparagus and Spinach Burger on a whole wheat bun with spinach, avocado and Vegenaise.

Mushroom, Asparagus, and Spinach Burger
This recipe is a good one to make ahead of time and follow the directions all the way through the baking step.  Then freeze them in between layers of parchment.  Whenever you want a burger, pop one out of the freezer and pan fry or grill until heated all the way through.

Serving Suggestion: Chock-full of veggies, this one doesn’t need much. Place on a nice wheat bun with some crispy greens, some slices of ripe avocado, maybe a schmear of vegan mayo, and you’re good to go.

3 cups (705 ml) vegetable broth
8 ounces (227 g) mushrooms, sliced or chopped
1 onion, diced
1 cup (108 g) shredded carrots
2 teaspoons (10 g) minced garlic
1 cup (190 g) uncooked brown rice
1 cup (134 g) 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) pieces asparagus spears
2 cups (60 g) chiffonaded spinach leaves
2 tablespoons (8 g) chopped fresh dill
1 cup (80 g) uncooked oats
1/2 cup (65 g) ground cashews
1 cup (120 g) whole wheat flour
1/2 cup (72 g) vital wheat gluten flour
Salt and pepper
Oil, for frying (optional)

To a large pot, add the vegetable broth, mushrooms, onion, carrots, and garlic. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and stir in the rice. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked.
            Uncover and stir in the asparagus, spinach, and dill. Continue to cook, uncovered, until most of the moisture has been absorbed.
            Remove from the heat, stir in the oats, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes.
            Mix in the cashews, whole wheat flour, gluten flour, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix very well until all ingredients are well incorporated. Use your hands if necessary. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to thicken up a bit.
            Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C, or gas mark 4). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
            Form into 10 patties, place on the prepared baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes, until firm and warmed all the way through. If desired, you can fry or grill these after baking, to give them a nice crispy crust.

Yield: 10 patties
(Nutritional info does not include the optional oil for frying.)




44 comments:

  1. My fav grill meal: tofu kabobs!

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  2. I don't own a BBQ, so I haven't had the opportunity to get very creative with preparing meals on the grill... However, when my brother invites us over and fires up the BBQ, I like bringing my homemade okara burgers. I'd love to try your veggie burgers and find new favorites for our next BBQ parties!

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  3. Mmmm... love grilling bell peppers!

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  4. Favorite on grill: portabello mushroom burgers

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  5. Hooray for an international giveaway!I'd love to win! Those burgers look incredible and like you said chock-full of veggies :) Your book has been on my wish-list since it was released and but the poor student that I am I haven't yet bought it...
    I love a big heap of charred veggies on the grill simply served alongside some couscous with salsa and sour cream or hummus but I got into barbecued bananas last year. I do mine like this http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/barbecuedchocolateba_14524 but obviously with vegan choc.

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  6. This burger recipe looks amazing, and I am definitely going to make it! Thank you for having the giveaway. I love grilled vegetables and marinated grilled tofu with romesco sauce.

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  7. I love veggie kabobs! Even since I was a kid and I HATED veggies, haha.

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  8. Grilled corn on the cob & asparagus!

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  9. I love to roast whole corn ears outdoors! As a former Orange County girl who relocated to the rural South, I have also fallen in love with vegan barbecue ribs!

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  10. Asparagus! Marinated first in a little olive oil/ white wine /tarragon combination.

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  11. I love any kind of grilled vegetables! I don't currently have a grill, but I really want to get one just thinking about it :)

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  12. I usually just roast lots of veggies on the grill. Next time though, I am trying those burgers. YUM!!

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  13. I love grilling veggies (potato, onion, carrot, raddichio, asparagus, eggplant...on and on).

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  14. A grilled veggie Italian sausage, grilled Zucchini on a nicely warmed Naan! Simply the best!!!!

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  15. Veggie kielbasa, corn on the cob and thick slices of sweet potatoes. So yummy.

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  16. Wow this looks good! Fave meal on the grill is probably veggie hot dogs and roasted corn cobs.

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  17. Now that I live in Wisconsin, I pretty much have to say brats! I like Tofurky's beer brats. :)

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  18. Grilled eggplant for the win! Mmmm love thick slabs of eggplant on the grill!

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  19. I love grilled vegetables & portabella mushrooms!

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  20. I'm a huge fan of kabobs with tofu and sweet peppers and onion!!!

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  21. My dad's superdelicious marinated grilled portobello burgers are my favorite. Cheers!

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  22. Everything on the grill- tvp burgers, tofu burgers, vegan sausages, carrots, pizza with new havarti deiya, seitan ribs, "chicken" seitan (for ceasar salad), sweet corn… oh man, am I hungry now!

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  23. My favourite on the grill? marinated veggies and potatoes! together with a salad this is heaven...

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  24. I love everything about this recipe! This will be my first grilled burger of the season!

    I love grilling fresh veggies on the grill: asparagus, romaine lettuce, and kale. I drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over the veggies and then chop and toss hot off the grill for a warm summer salad.

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  25. Those look yummy! We usually stick to Yves or Licks burgers in the summer.

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  26. I'm getting a new grill and can't wait to grill a heap of veggies- beets, potatoes, peppers, even broccoli. Another favorite is grilling pineapple slices soaked in coconut milk.

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  27. On the grill, we love a 'chicken' pot pie with baked bread alongside a salad in the summer. It's great I don't need to heat up the house. Friends/families are always impressed with this because it's something so different no one has ever thought to do this besides boring old hamburgers/hotdogs. We also love pizza on the grill. They are the best!! Another meal we love that is so simple are baked potatoes and then we top them with coleslaw. Fantastic! These are our favorites and it's hard to pick just one.

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  28. We love grilling peaches on our grill. So delicious!

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  29. For me, it's a toss up between burgers and kebabs.

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  30. My favorites are vegetables and tofu

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  31. i really loved grilled veggies! red onion, eggplant, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, oh my!

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  32. I love portobellas on the grill with grilled onions....and maybe a spear or two (or three or four) of grilled asparagus. YUM!!! I'm so glad grillin' weather is (almost) here!! I will be trying this recipe!!

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  33. Love the veggies - all kinds!

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  34. I grew up grilling all summer long with my family. It's so much fun! My favorite grillin' foods will always be veggie burgers and corn on the cob.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  35. Tempeh fajitas are awesome on the grill! Can't wait for summer!

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  36. I like homemade seitan steaks, especially with Jamaican jerk marinade. Seriously good.

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  37. i am a big fan of rubbing veggies with olive oil, salt, and lemon juice and just grillin' as is. grilled kale = heaven. :)

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  38. Grilling veg - what else? Corn on the cob, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, kabobs and, of course, veggie burgers, many times from one of the books you've authored or co-authored.
    Recipe featured here will probably be next on the grill, as soon as I get some asparagus.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  39. Grilled portobellos are my favorite! Marinated big time with A1 sauce to top. Lots of roasted potatoes and asparagus happen for me as well.

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  40. My favorite thing to grill is veggie burgers! :)

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  41. What a great burger recipe!! I also wanted to lick the screen as I'm on day 22 of my 30-40 juice cleanse. Always looking for inspiration for meals to fix my family. Thank you!!
    http://veganrawfood.net

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  42. My favorite meal to prepare on the grill? Portobello mushrooms!

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  43. My favorite thing to grill? Pineapple!

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  44. I like burgers but I LOVE grillings veggies in a grill basket, first marinaded in a little balsamic and garlic! Yum, they are so good later on top of salads, sandwiches, even just on top of rice. I always make a big batch whenever the grill is hot (usually zuch, onion, green and red pepper, asparagus and mushrooms) and have lots of leftovers.

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