Food Impromptu Veggie Patty

THE BEST VEGGIE BURGER (BETTER THAN STORE-BOUGHT)

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with foil, parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
• Using a damp paper towel, brush all dirt from mushrooms. Cut away and discard any hard stems. Roughly chop the mushrooms, carrot, broccoli and onion into 1/2-inch chunks. Toss vegetables into the bowl of a food processor. Add the garlic, olive oil, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt and pepper. Close the lid and pulse 10 to 20 times until coarsely ground.
• Spread the ground vegetables onto one of the lined baking sheets. Pat them down with a spatula until a very thin layer of vegetables covers the majority of the baking sheet. Roast the vegetables for 15 minutes. (If the veggies around the outer edges start to turn dark brown, stir and press them back down into a thin layer).
• Meanwhile, spread the drained black beans onto the second baking sheet in one layer. When the vegetables have roasted for 15 minutes, stir them and press into a thin layer once more. Transfer both baking sheets (vegetables and the black beans) to the oven. Roast until the beans begin to split and look dry and the vegetables look drier and toasted, about 15 minutes. Let everything cool.
• While the beans and vegetables roast, rinse the food processor bowl and pat dry.
• Place the walnuts, spinach and fresh herbs in it. Pulse until they are about the size of breadcrumbs.
• Add cooled beans and pulse 5 to 10 times until the beans look crumbly with large crumbs.
• Add the roasted vegetables, panko breadcrumbs, eggs and the tomato paste. Pulse until everything is just combined. You want to keep some texture, don't pulse until a smooth mixture.
• Scrape the mixture into a bowl and fold in the rice.
• Refrigerate the veggie burger mix up to 24 hours. Or make patties, cook them and freeze wrapped in foil up to 3 months.
• When you are ready to make the burgers, divide into 8 equal portions (about 3 1/4 ounces or 90 grams each). Form each portion into a 1/2-inch thick patty.
• Heat a skillet over medium-low heat, add oil, and then place patties in one layer. (We use about 1 tablespoon of oil to cook 4 burgers). Cook until heated through, firm and browned on both sides, about 4 to 6 minutes on each side. If any bits fall from the sides as you flip, press them back into the sides of the patty. Be careful when flipping so they stay together.
• For an outdoor grill, we recommend placing a cast iron pan or griddle over a low fire to cook the burgers.
• To reheat frozen cooked burgers: Bake in a 350 degree F oven until heated through, 15 to 20 minutes. Or reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through, 5 to 10 minutes on each side. We do not recommend microwaving the patties (they steam and become floppy).

TASTY VEGGIE PATTIES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. Shape into four patties. In a large skillet, cook patties in oil over medium heat for 3-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve immediately.

MUSHROOM VEGGIE PATTIES

Steps:

• Line a sheet pan with paper towels and set aside.
• Place the mushroom caps and stems in the bowl of a food processor and process, scraping down the sides, until the mushrooms are finely minced into something of a paste, almost resembling ground meat. (You can also mince as finely as possible with a knife.)
• Transfer the minced mushrooms to a large bowl. Add the parsley, garlic, salt, turmeric, oregano and pepper, and stir to combine. Add the flour and stir to combine. Beat in the eggs one at a time, stirring until the eggs are well combined and the batter has the consistency of loose yogurt.
• In a large pan with a lid, heat the oil over medium-high. Reduce the heat to medium, and dip two spoons in the hot oil so they're slightly greased up. Using the spoons, drop two tablespoons of batter into the oil to make one patty. With the back of a spoon, even out and shape the patty into an oval as best as you can. Repeat with as many patties as you have room for in the pan. Cover and cook the patties on one side until you see the edges setting and crisping up, about 5 minutes. (You should hear sizzling sounds.) Very carefully lift the lid so you don't get splattered, and use a spatula and spoon to flip the patties. Cover and cook until the other side is golden brown and the patties are cooked through, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer to the prepared sheet pan and repeat with any remaining batter, adding more oil if needed.
• Serve the mushroom patties hot or at room temperature with trimmings.

JAMAICAN VEGGIE PATTIES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a deep saucepan over a medium heat and cook the onion with a small pinch of salt for 8-10 mins, stirring regularly until softened. Add the garlic, 2 tsp of the curry powder and the herbs, and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add the mixed vegetables, stock, sugar and hot pepper sauce, if using. Turn the heat up to high, bring the mixture to the boil, then reduce the the heat to low, cover and simmer for about 10 mins. Add the bread, then continue to simmer over a low heat for another 8-10 mins, stirring occasionally until thickened. Taste for seasoning and leave to cool.
• Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface to a 5mm thickness. Stamp out 16-20 circles (about 8cm in diameter) using a biscuit cutter, then spoon the cooled filling over one half of each pastry circle. Fold the other half of the pastry over to enclose the filling and create a semi-circle then crimp the edge with a fork to seal. To freeze, put the patties on a baking tray lined with baking parchment and open-freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag, seal and freeze for up to two months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before using or bake the patties from frozen.
• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Arrange the patties on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Whisk the turmeric and remaining 1 tsp curry powder into the beaten egg, then brush this over the patties. Bake for 18-20 mins (or 25 mins from frozen) until the pastry is golden and cooked through, then serve immediately.