VEGGIE BURGER DELICIOUSNESS

I'm not a real vegetarian. I'm alright with this, but omnivores and vegetarians alike seem to have a problem with my on-the-fence status (haters!). I'm about 90% vegetarian-- the only time I cook meat is when I'm hosting people, and the only time I eat it is generally when someone makes it for me, I'm traveling and its culturally insensitive for me to request vegetarian items, or it has already been cooked/served without my ability to ask for something else. So although I'm not a true veg anymore, I was a vegan all throughout high school and a vegetarian for all of college, and so I've gotten pretty good at cooking vegan and vegetarian friendly meals.

As a general rule, I tend to avoid any pre-packaged "soy" or "fake meat" items. Mainly, because they gross me out, but also because most of them are created with vast amounts of wheat gluten (which tends to upset my stomach). But sometimes I get a craving for a burger. And when those times occur, I make these veggie burgers Yes, you could use lentils as the main ingredient, but tonight I'm cooking with what I have, and that means I'm using this package of Gimme Lean Ground "Beef". 

1 package of meat substitute, (Textured Vegetable Protein*, Lentils* or Gimme Lean work well, as do portobello mushrooms, but i have a better recipe for those which I will share at another time)

2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce (the more of this you add, the more smokey meat flavor you will get)

Sriracha (YES THATS RIGHT)-- just a dash, or if you dont have it, any kind of hot sauce

Garlic powder- sprinkled

Onion powder- sprinkled

Habanero powder- very little! (optional)

Corn (canned)- half a can

Balsamic vinegar-1 tablespoon

Salt- pinch

*If you use TVP or lentils and are not vegan, I recommend adding an egg into the mix to give it the right consistency

Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

Heat an oiled pan (preferably a grill-pan) on medium-high heat and cook veggie burgers until browned on both sides.

Enjoy!!