Asian ‘burgers’

A friend recently mistakenly ate a meat burger for the first time in 25 years. Now, if that sounds strange, let me assure you she’s not the first to vegetarian to eat meat that way. If you’ve ever tried a veggie burger that looks exactly like meat and tastes pretty darn close to the real thing, then you can understand.

This Asian burger, made of portabella mushrooms is that burger. Vegetarian or not, it’s worth trying. Even my pickiest eater ate two. Top it off with ginger garlic dressing, and it’s divine.

ASIAN VEGGIE BURGERS
1 chopped onion
3 cloves garlic
3 large portabella mushrooms
1 cup Old Fashioned oats
1 egg
2T ketchup
1T soy sauce2T oil for frying

Combine all ingredients except oil in a food processor until combined. The result should have the same consistency as pancake batter. Add more oats if it’s too watery. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add spoonfuls of batter and let brown about 2 minutes. Flip and let brown another 2 minutes. Serve on a whole wheat bun with lettuce and Asian dressing below.

GINGER GARLIC DRESSING
1 clove  garlic
1t fresh ginger (I used a chunk the size of a marble)
1T ketchup
1T veganaise or mayonaise
1t soy sauce
1t rice vinegar (use apple cider if you don’t have it)
1T oil

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and serve over burgers or salad. (For salad dressing, double the recipe.)