Monday, April 8, 2013

Pub Burgers & House Fries (vegan)


Ah, burgers.  A Summer staple food.  Picnics, BBQ's, 4th of July, there is nothing more traditional that a big juicy burger.  Except when your vegan of course! :) This morning, Jake, Chris and I made our regular Sunday venture to our favorite bakery, Petit Chat, for bread and treats and came across some in-house, vegan friendly hamburger buns.  So light & fluffy, and of course, delicious.  We were won over, and our dinner plans became set in stone, Pub burgers! I went the easy route this time, and didn't make my own hamburger patties as I would have preferred.  Boca or Morning Star stuff is a good substitute, just make sure you check the ingredients!  Not everything is VEGAN.

On the fry side,  I have ALWAYS been an advocate for baking home fries instead of frying them simply because it's healthier, and was raised on baked potato fries.  Jake, however, is an Indianian, and down South in Indiana, they fry.  So for the first time in our 2 years of dating, I broke down and agreed to let him to actually fry our fries!  He had a blast :) We used Grapeseed oil instead of soybean or veggie (bleh), but they turned out pretty durn good.  Maybe in another 2 years, I may let him try them again :)

Disclaimer:
Not trying to scare you out of trying them, however: Caution on the fries, these are NOT LOW FAT!  They are everything bad you'd expect them to be.  They are vegan, but only in technicality alone. Unfortunately though, they are yummy, yummy, yummy!

P.S. Enjoy!


Pub Burgers & Home Fries

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes-1 Hour

Cooking Stuffs:

Burgers:
Petit Chat's Tuscan Kaiser Hamburger Rolls or any other vegan hamburger bun (make your own!)
1 Box of Boca or Morning Star Vegan Hamburgers or Make your own (See here for one recipe)!!!

Vegannaise

Ketchup 
Cabbage or lettuce
1 Large Red Pepper
1 Scallion, minced
2-3 cloves of fresh garlic, minced

Fries:

2 Cups (sliced) your choice of regular potatoes, sweet potatoes, or eggplant

Onion Powder
Chicken Seasoning (VEGAN) (Basically just a mixture of: Paprika, Onion, Curry, Garlic, Black Pepper)
Black Pepper
Sea Salt
3 Tablespoons Flour
2 Cups Grapeseed or Sesame Oil
Coconut Oil Spray (optional)
1 batch of homemade Vegan Fry Sauce

Burgers:
Allow the burgers to defrost if frozen.  Chop the red peppers into 1/4" slices, and allow to brown on medium heat in a non-stick skillet.  While they are starting to brown add the scallion & garlic.  When they are done (about 10-15 minutes, keep a close eye), remove from heat and set aside. Move on to the fries.  While the fries are cooking, place your burgers in a skillet to brown (approximately 3 minutes on each side on Medium heat).

Fries:
1. Read Safety First below.  Place the oil in a sauce pan over medium heat.  MAKE SURE you have on long sleeves.  Ensure the pan is covered or it will pop all over the walls and you.  While it is preheating, slice your potatoes or egg plant into slices no bigger than 1/4" thick.  In a gallon sized Ziploc bag, mix your seasonings, Sea salt, and flour.  Close and shake thoroughly  Either rinse your potatoes/eggplant in a strainer or spray them with a light coat of coconut oil, then dump into the bag of your mixed seasonings.  Seal, and shake well thoroughly covering them in an outer coat.  When you're ready, pull them out and drop them into your oil with a METAL strainer spoon.  Allow them to cook for 15-30 seconds and remove immediately.  Place them on a cookie sheet to cool.

*Disclaimer:  Safety First.  Deep frying is EXTREMELY dangerous if done incorrectly.  It can be an extreme fire hazard as people continually prove every Thanksgiving.  Do your homework, and be confident that you know what you're doing.  /Always wear long sleeves or long oven mitts if you have them.  Always keep a lid and a giant box of baking soda nearby, and NEVER USE WATER to put out a grease fire.  Good Luck, Be Safe!
Deep Frying on an Electric Stove.
Kitchen Safety: Putting Out Grease Fires

When your burgers and fries are done, build your burger!  We are boring and usually only use vegannaise, ketchup, and lettuce, but feel free to take creative intiative.  

Happy Cooking!

<3thehappyinsomniac



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