Vegan On The Go: Veggie Burgers & Curry Mashed Potatoe

Ok, so I don't always have time to make everything from scratch.  One of our staples at home for when we don't want to cook is bring out the Veggie Burgers.  Served with a side of some type of potato this is a 'fast food' for at home cooking (and tastes great).

Here's one of our recent 'fast food' meals - Vegan Veggie Burgers with a Side of Curried Mashed Potato.

1. Get out the Veggie Burgers - our favorite is Yves Vegan Veggie Burgers - you can find these at Safeway & Superstore.  Look for the Vegan label.  (Family packs at Superstore are a good deal for your dollar).

Look for the Vegan Label

2. Fry up the burgers with some Onion (I throw the onion on half way through).  After flipping once I toss on some Frank's Hot Sauce - yum, you really can put that **** on anything!

That's Frank's Hot Sauce - mmmm

3. Now for what keeps it all together - Bread & Condiments.  Don't got buns?  Don't matter!  Just use bread & toast it up, that's my standard fare.  I fully loaded this baby with Veganaise (Vegan Mayo), Ketchup, Mustard, Tangy Relish (I just discovered this - tastes like dill pickle!), Tomato, Onions, Red Pepper and pickles (that's right, Relish & Pickle).

Relish - Sour not Sweet!

My Home Made Dill Pickles

4. Make the mashed potatoes - Boil those potatoes for around 15 minutes until soft - drain - add the ingredients (to your taste) and mash them up with a masher.  Serve on the side with the Veg burger.

• 3-4 Medium-large potatoes (leave the skins on)
• 1/2 cup of soy milk
• a few spoon fulls of Earth Balance Buttery Flavor Spread (or something like that)
• Shake on some Curry
• Shake on some Salt
• Grind on some Pepper
• Shake on some Curry

5. Voila - Healthy Fast food - dinner in 15-20 minutes!  Never tried veggie burgers?  You really will like these.  They taste even better on the BBQ if you got the time.

Vegan Mini Pita Pizza

My dad used to have a 'do it yourself pizza night' when we were young - he would put out a bunch of toppings, sauce, and pitas.  My brother and I would go wild making our own pizza combinations.  This was a favorite dinner and my feelings remain the same today.  Since Daiya seems to have a 'cheese' that actually tastes good I've got back into it.  This is too easy and so great every time.

1. First you take the Pita out - I like to brush the back side with oil & then lightly salt it.

2. Next up - make your Pizza Sauce - Soooo easy - just chop up a few tomatoes, toss them in a pot with some dried basil, a sprinkle of hot sauce, & a few shots of worchestershire - to that add a bit of Olive Oil - now cook at Med heat to reduce it down (basically cook off the water).  Tasty in no time!  Spread this on the top of the pita.

3. Toppings are a must!  This time I went with Orange Bell Pepper, Portabello Mushroom & Fresh Tomato.

4. Top everything with the Daiya Mozzarella and bake at 350 F for 10 Minutes.  I like to add 2 minutes under the broiler to finish it up.  Ta Dah - mini pizzas.  Enjoy.

Fried Green Tomatoes

After a bit of encouragement from friends and family I have decided to change my blog over to a Vegan Cooking blog.  I'll post regular updates of vegan recipes I've tried or made up.  Recently... I attempted Fried Green Tomatoes - which were easy and delicious.  Here's how they go.

1. Get yourself some firm Green Tomatoes (i.e., tomatoes that have not ripened) - Slice them up into rounds (however thick you like).  Lay them on a grill & sprinkle with salt - leave them 15 minutes to 'sweat out' some liquid.  Then sponge them with paper towels.

 2. Set up your breading station!  1. Flour, 2. Soy Milk, 3. Bread crumbs mixed with Corn Starch (add whatever spice you like to this, I added garlic powder).

3. Run your tomatoes through the stations - Both Sides - until they are all breaded.  Start with flour, then Soy Milk, and finally the bread crumbs.

4. Put the breaded tomatoes back on the grill to set for 10 minutes. 

5. Add some oil to a good fry pan & heat it up to sizzling - use a med-high heat to allow the tomatoes to cook a bit too.  Add the green tomatoes - around 3 minutes a side - or until they are nice & brown.  Place them on paper towel after to take off some grease. 

6. Voila!  Fried green tomatoes.  I made a sauce to serve these with: 1 Part Veganese, 1 Part Mustard, A scoop of Relish.  Yum.  Enjoy.