GIVE VEGGIE A TRY Meatless alternatives to the all-An hamburger, not just for vegetar
Meatless alternatives to the all-American hamburger, not just for vegetarians
by Jacky Carter
When I was in kindergarten, my family went on a vacation to Caliornia.While some people use vacation as an excuse to try new foods, I used it as an opportunity to eat 13 cheeseburgs in 10 days. No, my family did not eat entirely at McDonald's. And I didn't have any sort of food allergies preventing me from exploring options like seafood or even spaghetti. I just really like cheeseburti.
Although my meat intake did not continue with such voracity for the rest of my life, I am still — without a doubt — a happily consuming carnivore.
So it is with my carnivorous history that my journey into meatless patties is quite surprising. I tried a veggie burger when my friend made me take a bite of her Boca Burger. To be polite, I took as small a bite as possible, but couldn't help closing my eyes.
Surprisingly, it was good. And not good as in "that was nice," but good as in "I should start making these too."
Maggie Kelley, Kansas City, Mo. senior, made a similar discovery. Her father has been eating veggie burgers for 10 years, and she started eating them two years ago.Kelley is not a vegetarian but opts for veggie burgs instead of hamburgers because they're healthier.
"I don't avoid eating meat but if there's a chance to have a veggie burger, I always go for that," Kelley says.
While Kelley says she likes veggie burgers because
they're similar to hamburgers, some vegetarians and vegans appreciate that the veggie patty doesn't remind them of the real one.
STRIVING TO LIVE A CRUELTY-FREE LIFESTYLE IS NOT ABOUT WHETHER A VEGGIE BURGER TASTES LIKE MEAT OR NOT, IT IS ABOUT OUR ROLE AS HUMANS IN RESPECTING AND PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT
CRAIG MULANAX, DERBY NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENT
"I like them because they don't try to taste too much like real burgers. That gets old really fast," Anna Hoard, Topeka sophomore, says."They're things you can fill a sandwich with from the microwave or the grill."
Around the same time that my cheeseburger spree took place, Cates Mallaney, Centerville, Ohio senior, went in the opposite direction.
Mallaney stopped eating meat when he was 5. Animal cruelty and health benefits were factors in his decision to become a vegan a year ago, he says.
Although Mallaney didn't originally enjoy veggie burgers, he now makes his own at home.
Aaron Bart, Lawrence junior,
says he used to eat veggie
burgers but doesn't anymore.
Bart used to be a vegetarian and is now a vegan.
"The aspect of eating meat in the first place really puts me off," Bart says. "And the logic of eating something that is suppose to mimic it just doesn't seem right."
For people who enjoy meat or anyone wary of eating a veggie burger, Craig Mulanax, Derby non-traditional student, recommends Yves "The Good Burger." Mulanax, a vegan, says it's good for those who have either never eaten veggie burgers or have had a bad experience with them.
Veggie burgers are also extremely healthy. If the animal-rights reason isn't enough, the amount of protein you'll get and calories you'll avoid is convincing enough to switch, or at least rotate them into a meal.
Mulanax and his parents have cooked entirely vegan meals without their dinner guests knowing. They tell the truth after everyone has eaten and most people are surprised, Mulanax says.
Some people become vegetarians or vegans for a healthier diet, but they must make sure to get enough protein. Mallaney says he eats snacks like almonds and cashewts to help make up for it and he also takes a multi-vitamin vegan supplement call VegLife.
If you're a fan of regular hamburgers and fear that the veggie burgers won't quite please your palette, condiments to help disguise the flavor. Dousing my meatless cheeseburger with ketchup, mustard, dill pickles and Swiss cheese made my veggie burger seem like all the other burgers I'd eaten.
So whether you've sworn off meat for good or just want something new to try, veggie burgers might be the healthy alternative to a fast food combo.
ILLUSTRATION/ GREG GRIESANAUER
MAKE YOUR OWN VEGGIE BURGER
Ingredients:
1 lb tofu
1/4 cup grated carrots
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup cooked quinoa
3 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 Tbsp. tahini
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. salt
one small onion
1 small potato
dash of lemon juice
1/4 tsp.finely minced garlic
1/8 tsp.dried tarragon
1/8 tsp.dried parsley
1/8 tsp.cayenne pepper
pepper to taste
Grind the tofu, potato, onion and carrot in a food processor. Don't let it get too fine.
Mix in remaining ingredients, shape into burgers and bake at around 350 degrees on a very lightly oiled sheet for 15-20 minutes, turning once. Enjoy.
Source: Shannon Keefe, 2006 graduate
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08.24.2006 JAYPLAY
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