Inside Out Burgers and Guacamole Potato Salad

A few years ago my father-in-law gave us one of the George Foreman grills for Christmas. I like it because it is easy to use, and doesn't require fire or my being outdoors in the heat and humidity. Granted, my hubby is the family grillmaster, but this is something I can do myself. Makes it convenient when I want a burger. Like today.

Inside Out Burgers

One package Lightlife Gimme Lean Beef (don't panic! It's vegan!)
1 t. salt
1 t. pepper
1 T. parsley
Sliced onion
Sliced tomato
Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds
Dijon mustard
Pickle relish
Vegan mayonnaise
Lettuce
Whole wheat burger buns

In a bowl, mix together well the beef, salt, pepper and parsley. Divide to make six patties. On top of the first three patties place a slice of onion, a slice of tomato and a sprinkle of the Daiya. On the next three patties add a teaspoon each of the mustard, pickle relish and mayonnaise and spread it on to cover most of the patty. Place one patty with the condiments on top of one patty with the vegetables and cheese and press together lightly.
Grill the patties. On the George Foreman grill I did this for about five minutes, but if you are using a regular grill or frying in a frying pan, I would do about 4-5 minutes per side.
On a hamburger bun, lay on some lettuce and top with the grilled burger. Nothing more need be added.
Warning! These are delicious but MESSY! Keep plenty of  napkins handy and enjoy!

I like using the Gimme Lean beef and sausage. I find them more versatile than what I've used in the past. The Gimme Lean Beef makes enough for six regular sized patties. For these burgers, since two patties were used on each burger, it made three. Adjust accordingly.

Guacamole Potato Salad

Five pound bag of potatoes, washed and cut into bite sized pieces (I rarely to never peel them)
Salt
One avocado, peeled and pit removed
Lime zest
2 limes
3 cloves garlic
Handful of cilantro
Vegan mayonnaise
2 celery stalks, sliced

Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and allow to cool
In a food processor, add the avocado, lime zest, juice from the two limes, garlic and cilantro. Pulse until everything is well blended and creamy.
In a large bowl, add the cooled potatoes, avocado sauce, celery and enough mayonnaise to coat. Stir gently until all the potatoes are well coated. Taste and add salt if necessary.
It will be a light, beautiful shade of green!
Chill.

My hubby, besides being our resident grillmaster, also fancies himself our resident potato salad maker. He does make some awesome potato salad, I'll give him that! But I like to try different versions. He gave this one a thumbs up. Success!

Burgers, Potato Salad and Cole Slaw

I had this very clever idea that I would try to theme my meals this year. Ha! It's March and I've still not done any such thing. Ah well, it was a nice thought. But, wait! The year is still young and I can still shoot for the Overachiever Award! Yes!

Okay, not bloody likely, but there are still those things I can do. For instance, I am thinking the summer is a good time to introduce one weekend day devoted to trying out new burger, potato salad and cole slaw recipes. I mean, after all, I do have several to choose from.

Recently, my father-in-law was coming over to help my hubby with our garage door. For some inexplicable reason, it decided to literally fold up on itself one day while I was lowering it (via automatic controls, I should point out!) Every time my fil visits (which is usually, I hate to say, because we need his opinion and expertise on something), I like to feed him. He has his favorites that I make, and I like to make them, but this  particular day hubby got it in his head to throw something on the grill.

Lightbulb moment! Hadn't I been planning to try out different burger, potato salad and cole slaw recipes? Why, yes, I had! So, I did.

Cowboy Burgers

One package Boca Original Vegan Burgers (okay, I cheated on this part!)
Olive oil
3 onions, thinly sliced into rings
3 T. A1 Steak Sauce
Sliced tomatoes
Hamburger buns

Grill the burgers.

Heat some oil in a skillet and saute the onion slices about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Cover with a lid and simmer for about 20 minutes, again stirring frequently. Stir the steak sauce into the onions.

Layer the bun with a burger patty, topped with the onion mixture and a slice of tomato. We also slathered one half of the bun with some vegan mayonnaise.

Patriot's Potato Salad

6 c. chopped cooked potatoes
1 c. celery slices
1/4 c. green onion slices
1/2 c. chopped dill pickle
1 c. vegan mayonnaise
1 T. yellow mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and mix lightly until well coated. Chill.

Marinated Cole Slaw

One head of cabbage, shredded
One green bell pepper, chopped
1 c. vegan mayonnaise
8 stalks of celery, chopped
One onion, chopped

To this mix in:

1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. vinegar
1 t. salt
2 t. sugar
Black pepper
1/8 t. hot sauce

Toss well, cover and refrigerate overnight.

So, my first little themed meal for the year was a success! The addition of the steak-sauced onions to the burgers was mm, mm, good and the two salads got rave reviews! I may not be sure how the rest of my themed ideas will work out, but I'm pretty sure the burger, potato salad and cole slaw one will continue. Now if only summer would get here...wait a minute, what am I saying! Summer's are unbearable here! At least the food will be good!

Enjoy!