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Practical Eating

At Last, An Undepressing Veggie Burger

You've had a long day, and there's nothing but mustard in your fridge, so you turn to the freezer where you find an old box of veggie burgers. You peel the plastic back, microwave your Boca, and eat it plain. Or maybe with a squeeze of ketchup, as if that makes it better. We have to stop this story. Your dinner is making me sad.

Some veggie burgers are vile. (Anything claiming "flame grilled" comes to mind). Others are better. But even then, they're still processed, packaged, dining-alone-and-can't-be-bothered food. But the concept of a veggie burger is not irredeemable. If you can be bothered just a little bit, you can eat a real-food veggie burger. It'll take longer than 30 seconds, but sparing yourself from a total bummer of a dinner is worth it. Check out the nifty recipe:

Get this:

• 1 1/2 lb white mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, crushed
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of oregano
• 2/3 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan
• 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• Sautee mushrooms with oil, garlic, onion, oregano, and salt, till the moisture released by the mushrooms dries
• Chop cooked mushrooms 
• In a bowl add oatmeal, bread crumbs, another pinch of salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan
• Mix in two beaten eggs
• Let sit for 15 minutes
• Form patties and grill