Basic Veggie Burgers Recipes

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, combine the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and mix with a fork until the cornstarch is completely dissolved.
• In a food processor, combine the cornstarch slurry, seitan, broccoli, bread crumbs, and salt, and process until there are no more big chunks and everything is thoroughly mixed. It will look like a strange green oatmeal. Transfer to a bowl and let rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to four days covered.
• When you are ready for burgers, divide the burger mixture into sixths, shape the portions into rough balls by rolling them in your hands, and gently press them into patties. I like to use a ring mold to make prettier patties, but you probably don't have one of those, and I applaud your rustic sensibility.
• Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat with enough oil to slick the pan. When the oil shimmers, place as many patties as will fit comfortably in the pan. Once you see the edges start to caramelize, after about 3 minutes, carefully flip the patties and cook an additional 2 minutes. Put the burgers on buns with whatever toppings make you feel badass, listen to "The Boys Are Back in Town" by Thin Lizzy, eat your super-awesome veggie burger, and flip people off from the window.

Steps:

• If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.
• In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
• In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.
• In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
• Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.
• If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Slice tofu into 1/4-inch-thick slabs and pat dry with paper towel. Arrange tofu on one half of a rimmed baking sheet; brush both sides with oil. Spread mushrooms on the other half of the baking sheet; toss with 2 tablespoons oil and salt and pepper.
• On a second rimmed baking sheet, toss beans and grated beet with 1 tablespoon oil and salt and pepper, then spread the mixture into one layer.
• Transfer both baking sheets to the oven. Roast bean-beet mixture, tossing occasionally, until beans begin to split and beets are tender and golden, about 15 minutes. Roast mushrooms and tofu until golden and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 25 minutes. Let everything cool.
• Place nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground. Add cooled bean-beet mixture, mushrooms, tofu, panko, cheese, eggs, mayonnaise, scallion, garlic, pimentón and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Pulse until ingredients are just combined. Pulse in tempeh and rice but do not overprocess. You want small chunks, not a smooth mixture. Scrape mixture into a bowl and chill at least 2 hours or up to 5 days (you can also freeze the burger mix).
• When you are ready to make the burgers, divide mixture into 6 equal portions and form each portion into a patty about 1 inch thick. Return to the fridge until just before grilling. They grill better when they start out cold.
• Heat the grill. Cook the burgers over a low fire until they are charred on both sides and firm when you press on them, 4 to 6 minutes per side. If they start to burn before they firm up, move them to the sides of the grill to finish cooking over indirect heat. Alternatively, you can cook these on a grill pan or in a skillet over low heat.