Saturday, April 2, 2011

The Cookbook that Changed Your Life...

I've heard of life-changing books. And world-altering experiences. Even movies that change someone's fundamental perspective on life.

What about life-changing cookbooks, friends?

Come on: I know you've got one on your shelf, too. For me, it's that veggie burger bible I can't stop bragging on. I'm like a proud cookbook mama, with no children of course.

I've been urging you to get creative with your meatless patties for the past few months...Trying to pull you out of that veggie burger rut you were in. From Cauliflower-Dijon Patties to Edamame + Apple Sammies, the Veggie Burgers Every Which Way cookbook has changed my life.

What can I say? Some people read life-changing books. I read life-changing recipes.

Today, let's talk about how goat cheese rocks my socks off. That tangy, soft cheese has something going on that I simply can't resist.

And sun-dried tomatoes? Surprisingly sweet and equally tangy.

Together, these ingredients are the star guests at my rockin' veggie burger party. This is another one for the books, friends. Get out your recipe box and invite over your vege-head and meat-eating friends. This meatless patty will please the whole table.

We topped our patties with an Apple Pico de Gallo and (more) goat cheese (heavens, yes!). And, while Adam enjoyed his atop a homemade bun, I opted for a bun-less burger...times 2 (double the goat cheese, double the pico de gallo, right?).

Enjoy your weekend, friends. And please tell me: What's your life-changing cookbook?

Sun-Dried Tomato + Goat Cheese Burgers
(recipe from Lukas Volger's Veggie Burgers Every Which Way)

Ingredients:
  • 1 - 1/2 cups frozen corn
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 tsp. cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. ground flaxseed
  • 10 scallions, thinly sliced about 1 inch into the dark green parts
  • 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
  • 2 oz. goat cheese
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • olive oil
  • Pico de Gallo
Directions:
1) Do ahead: Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl of water and allow them to rest and re-hydrate for about 2 hours.

2) Combine corn and eggs in a food processor until chunky and partially processed.

3) In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, cornstarch, flaxseed, and baking powder. Stir in the corn-egg mixture, scallions, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Crumble in the goat cheese and season to taste.

4) Heat a little olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Drop the mixture by 1/4 cup-fuls onto the skillet and press lightly to flatten into burger-shaped patties. Cook until golden brown on the bottom (about 4 - 5 minutes). Flip and cook until the other side is nicely browned.


16 comments:

  1. Wow! Amazing.
    I know exactly what you're talking about with life changing cookbooks--mine one I really haven't made much out of, but it inspires me SO much!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Keep those veggie burgers comin'! This one looks great. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can't say it is life-changing, but the cookbook I honestly use the most is an old one I got from our church -- so it is full of recipes from the old ladies :) I change lots of the ingredients, but the ideas come from that book!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my gosh that recipe looks so tasty!! I love making veggie burgers, but I totally stick to the same rut. So not good! I need to branch out!

    ReplyDelete
  5. that looks delightful! now I need to get my hands on that book, too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sun dried tomatoes...yum! I love any Cooking Light cookbook. I've never been disappointed by any of the recipes I find in them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anything with goat cheese is bound to be life changing :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Keep the burger recipes coming girl! I totally hear ya on life-changing recipes! and esp since I will not buy premade burgers -- this is perfect for me to stash away all your yummmy recipes and adaptations! <3

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

    ReplyDelete
  9. Smile. So good. I have two: Moosewood and America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book. So much inspiration contained in those pages. Thank you for sharing with me tonight. I'm in the need of some comfort...and you are one of the blogs I know I can turn to. I hope you have a great start to your week. Blessings and love.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think I'd love these if I subbed feta for the goat cheese! By the way, that cookbook was mentioned in a recent NY Times article about veggie burgers. And also, a friend asked me if I had any good veggie burger recipes, and I told her that you were armed with a ton! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tofu burgers are my favorite, I really love my husband's dish, but I would just love to incorporate these tastes.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kylie, these burgers look great - so easy, healthy and perfect for all the spring/summer grilling I'm looking forward to doing! Thanks for sharing. You have a beautiful blog and I'm looking forward to exploring your recipes! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I smiled when I saw this post title because I am also WAY too obsessed with cookbooks. These look wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think I have an addiction to cookbooks...I no longer have any space for them but I just keep collecting them ;)

    I think I must try this recipe...What a fantastic combination of flavors!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Homemade veggie burgers can't be beat. I absolutely LOATHE the frozen fake beef patties!

    I have a lot of cookbooks I love, and my collection continues to grow! I've probably cooked most out of cooking magazines like Gourmet (RIP), Bon Appetit, and Food & Wine.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I always have so much fun seeing what ingredient combos you're going to come up with next for veggie burgers--this one looks like a winner for sure! :0)

    ReplyDelete