DIY Veggie Patties

The spring break hiatus has ended and so has my writing drought.

Today I had a yummy meal of handmade veggie patties tonight and decided to link the recipe for all of you creative eaters out there for those times when Boca won't cut it. Nothing against Boca; they make some great eats but making your own veggie patties is a good experience.

I like this recipe (from Guy Fieri of the Food Network) because it's simple and it's the equivalent of fresh hamburger meat for us non-meat-eaters. It has a cool story too. Apparently Guy decided to make the patty after his vegtarian sister (Morgan) was dissatisfied with frozen alternatives (I watch waaaay too much Food Network, I know).

There's a little bit of dicing involved with the bell peppers and artichokes for example but other items, like olives, can be bought diced and canned. Throw it together and you have get to see exactly what goes into the vegetarian version of the hamburger.

One tip that Fieri offered when he made the recipe during the show involved shaping the veggie patty in a small, round left-over container. Line the Tupperware (or whatever brand you have) with plastic wrap, place the patty mixture in, place another layer of plastic wrap over the top of the patty and press the patty into shape.

I sandwiched my patty with a Publix bakery French roll and topped it with lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard and a garlic/mayonnaise mix. Tater tots for the side. Only regret: I forgot to buy ketchup :(