Burgers and Barley

There are a lot of reasons that I don't eat meat. Instead of introducing them all at once in a lengthy exposé, I will feed you small bites of propaganda until you are bursting with desire to eliminate most (all?) meat!!!!!!!! my mom just stopped reading.

Reason One: if you stop eating meat, you will suddenly be faced with the challenge of cooking hearty meals without this staple. It may seem possible, easy really, for a week. Then you realize that most of your favorite meals are in fact...meat. This may be because of culture, others claim historical precedence, still others claim health. But I hereby claim that it is LIMITING. A cooking world without meat introduces, even forces you to explore all sorts of grains, vegetables, cultures, and beans. Welcome. 

Bean Burgers red enough to make me uncomfortable 

mostly from "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian" by Mark Bittman. A cookbook that has changed my life, tear. 

2 c well cooked white, black, or red beans, chickpeas, or lentils

1 medium onion, quartered or roughly chopped

1/2 c rolled oats (not instant)

1 T chili powder or spice mix

(I added most of 1 fresh beet, chopped, for some sweetness. and the ironic color)

1 egg (can be replaced with 1/2c tofu or mashed potatoes)

salt and pepper

combine all in food processor or blender and pulse together until still chunky but blended.  may need some additional liquid, any will do. 

shape the suspiciously meat-like mixture into patties, cutlets, meatballs.  

 pan fry with a little oil till crisp on both sides. 

enjoy. 

made: 6 large "burgers"

time: 10 min prep with pre-cooked beans. 15 min cook time for 4 patties. 

served with the Best Barley I've ever had. Also by Mark Bittman

2 Tbs butter or olive oil

1/2 c scallion or onion

1 c pearled barley

1/2 t dried dill, parsley, or mint. (i use dill)

3 c warmed veg broth or water

salt and pepper

warm oil on med-high heat

add onions till soft (5 min)

add barley. cook for about a minute.  

add the rest

cover, low heat, 30 min. liquid will be absorbed or almost. 

it will absorb even more liquid as it sits. 

good. surprisingly.