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Grillin Time - or how to beat the heat in the kitchen

It's summer so to beat the heat, use your barbecue!  What can be more American than burgers and baked beans.


For the Potatoes:

Slice whole potatoes and sprinkle with Sea Salt and Black Pepper.  You can also add minced garlic and any kind of herbs you like for variety.  Wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil and put them over the hot coals or right on your grill rack.  They will take about 45 minutes so start these first.

For the Burger:

2 cups of re-hydrated TSP (textured soy protein.  Bob's Red Mill makes it and it's easy to find.  You just follow the instructions for re-hydrating on the back.  It's dehydrated Soy protein, a complete protein if you're looking, that has been dried.  The crumbles mimic meat, doesn't reduce like ground meat when cooked, and will remain moist)
1/4 cup oat flower (if you don't have any, put a 1/2 cup of whole oats in your food processor and mix until it
resembles flour)
1/4 cup vital wheat gluten
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbl ketchup
1 Tbl Vegan Worcestershire
1 can black beans
1 pint sliced crimini mushrooms (baby portabellos.  A pint is the size that mushrooms come in when pre-packaged)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
Slice the crimini mushrooms if you have whole ones.  Saute in a dry non stick pan until soft.
Blend all ingredients in the Cuisinart or food processor.  If you don't have one, mix with your hands.  If the texture is too dry, add a little vegetable stock.  Form the mixture into patties for the grill.

For the Baked Beans:

Take two or three of your favorite beans and if they're from cans, drain and rinse them.  If you already made some from scratch, use those.  I would say use about 5-6 cups of beans.  Add a bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce (check the ingredients to make sure there is no oil), a can of tomato puree and if you like spicy, add a teaspoon of red chili flakes.  Put them in a casserole dish or any oven safe container.  Cover with a lid or aluminum foil and cook at 300 degrees for about an hour to hour and a half.  You want the sauce to have reduced down so it is thick.

Thousand Islands Dressing:

Take a cup of the Aioli Mayonnaise (recipe is in the right side section labeled Recipes, add 2 Tablespoons Ketchup and 2 Tablespoons Pickle Relish.  Voila!

Enjoy your burger on Whole Wheat (no oil) buns with a slice of red onion, pickles, tomato, lettuce.