Garden Chicken Burger Food

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).

FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, shallot, garlic, jalapeño, 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Place the chicken breasts between 2 pieces of parchment paper and, with a rolling pin or a meat mallet, pound them until they are evenly 1/2 inch thick. Slice each piece of chicken in half crosswise so you have 2 pieces approximately the same size. Place the chicken in the marinade, making sure each piece is well coated, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to (but not more than) 24 hours.
• When ready to cook the chicken, preheat the oven to 300˚. Set a wire rack on a sheet pan and place them in the oven.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, celery salt, 1 tablespoon kosher salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper and set aside.
• Pour oil into a medium (9-inch round by 4 1/2-inch high) Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset, until it is 2 inches deep. Clip on a candy thermometer and heat the oil over high heat until it reaches 350˚. Meanwhile, lift the chicken from the marinade, dredge it in the flour mixture, submerge it again in the marinade, then again in the flour mixture, lightly shaking off the excess. Transfer the chicken to a plate or sheet pan until ready to fry.
• When the oil is 350˚, carefully lower 3 pieces only into the oil with tongs and adjust the heat to keep the oil at 350˚. Don't crowd the chicken! Cook for 5 minutes, turning once to brown evenly. With a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to the sheet pan in the oven to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Sprinkle all the chicken with salt and keep warm for up to 15 minutes, until ready to serve.
• To assemble, place the bottom of each bun on a plate, spread with some of the buttermilk herb mayo, then top with a lettuce leaf, 4 pickle slices, then a piece of chicken. Spread the underside of the top bun generously with more of the mayo and place on top of the chicken, mayo side down. Serve while the chicken is still warm.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar, scallions, parsley, chives, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

GARDEN BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. Make the dressing: Puree the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, chives, basil, and salt and pepper to taste in a blender. Transfer to a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Make the burgers: Form the beef into four 6-ounce patties, about 3/4 inch thick; press the center of each patty with your thumb to make a 1/2-inch-deep indentation. Season the patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly brush the grill grates with vegetable oil, then grill the patties, indentation-side up, until marked on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook until marked and slightly firm, about 3 more minutes for medium doneness. Remove the patties to a plate and let rest 5 minutes. Grill the buns, cut side down, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute.
• Top the bun bottoms with the lettuce, tomatoes, burger patties, alfalfa sprouts and avocado. Drizzle with the dressing, then cover with the bun tops.

CHICKEN BURGERS

Steps:

• Be sure to use ground white meat chicken. If you're buying your ground chicken from the grocery story, ring the bell and ask them if they've got what you're looking for or if they'll grind some chicken breast for you. You can also grind it yourself in a food processor. Remove all excess fat and cartilage from boneless, skinless chicken breast and tenders, cut into 1-inch cubes and pulse until coarsely chopped.
• Use fresh bread crumbs. It only takes a few extra minutes. Remove crusts from good bread or don't remove the crusts, tear into chunks and pulse in a mini chopper or food processor. Make a giant batch and freeze them so next time you can skip this step.
• Place chicken in a mixing bowl. Using a rubber spatula, fold in milk, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, onion, cayenne, salt and pepper. The mixture will be very wet which means it will be a tiny bit icky forming it into patties but forge ahead. Place remaining 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs on a dinner plate or cookie sheet. Divide chicken meat into 4 or 5 piles (you decide which portion size is best for you) and using your hands, shape into patties. Coat each patty with bread crumbs. Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and fry patties until golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Serve immediately.

GROUND CHICKEN BURGERS

Steps:

• Combine bread crumbs, onion, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until blended.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Combine chicken, egg, and bread crumb mixture in a large bowl until evenly mixed. Divide into 4 equal parts and shape into patties. Place on a cookie sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Refrigerate for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Cook on the preheated grill until cooked through, at least 7 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the burgers should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

GARDEN CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, saute chicken and garlic in butter for 15 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
• With butter in skillet, saute squash, zucchini, and sweet bell pepper and cook just until tender crisp.
• In a small saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons butter and add flour, seasoned salt, salt, black pepper, and pesto seasoning. Stir to form a paste.
• Over medium high heat, gradually add broth, stirring constantly, until thick.
• Stir in cream and heat thoroughly.
• In a large bowl, combine chicken vegetables, broth-cream mixture, and drained pasta.
• Transfer to a greased 9x13 inch casserole dish.
• Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
• Uncover and sprinkle parmesan cheese over top of casserole and return to oven for 5 minutes.

GRILLED CHICKEN BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil grate.
• Lightly spray a saute pan with cooking or oil spray over medium heat. Saute the onion with the garlic first, then the bell pepper, then the mushrooms, tomatoes and carrots, all to desired tenderness. Set aside and allow all vegetables to cool completely.
• In a large bowl, combine the chicken and vegetables. Add the egg, bread crumbs and seasonings to taste. Mix all together well and form into 8 patties.
• Grill over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.