Fakin’ CheeseBurger (Vegan)

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It’s summer. Flame broiled burger smells are in the air, and you are still eating burgers off a grill from the frozen food section of the local IGA? I’m sorry to break this to you, but you’re doing it all wrong. Take a few minutes, whip up your own burger and revel in the excitement that is all of the ordinary and none of the animal. Veggies, you know what I mean.

This recipe comes to you courtesy of The Best Veggie Burgers on the Planet (so far this book has proven to be true to the title).

Ingredients:

• 1 C TVP granules
• 1 scant C veggie broth
• 1/4 C imitation bacon bits, store-bought or homemade
• 1 C vital wheat gluten flour
• 1/4 tsp liquid smoke
• 1/2 C nutritional yeast
• 1 T garlic powder
• 1 T onion powder
• 1/4 C peanut butter
• 1/4 C pure maple syrup
• 1/4 C vegetable oil (I got away with 1/8 C)
• 1/4 C bbq sauce
• salt and pepper
• oil for frying/grilling

Directions:

In a large micro-safe bowl, mix together the TVP granules and the broth, cover tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and microwave for 5-6 minutes. Alternatively, bring the broth to a boil, pour over the TVP, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes.

Add the bacon bits, flour, liquid smoke, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, peanut butter, maple syrup, oil, bbq sauce, salt and pepper to the bowl. Knead together for 5 minutes or so, then let sit a few minutes to thicken up.

Form into 4-6 patties. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.

Cook as desired. Panfry, grill or bake in a 350 oven until cooked through with a crisp-ish outer coating. They freeze well.