I’m Lovin’ It: Vegetarian Big Mac!

We know they’re bad for us, packed with calories and laden with fats and sodium… but dang they’re good! I haven’t had a Big Mac in ages, in fact, I remember when they came in those orange Styrofoam containers that you opened with a teeth gritting induced squeak and there it was: two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame-seed bun.

If you have a mad hankering for this greasy McD’s classic, then I’ve got a recipe for you and it’s vegetarian.Don’t run away!

I tried this on my guy without telling him it was vegetarian just to see what his reaction was and the results… HAPPY DANCE, he’s lovin’ it! https://giphy.com/embed/1Fjxzv70Zvyqk

via GIPHY

This vegetarian Big Mac may not be the healthiest, but I’ll bet you a set of supersized Golden Arches that’s it’s healthier than the original. My vegetarian version consists of two red kidney bean patties made from red kidney beans (duh), shallot, garlic, wheat gluten flour, and is bound together with a flax seed “egg”. The burgers are grilled and seared to perfection before being topped off with a “I can’t believe it’s not McDonalds Secret Sauce”, shredded lettuce, diced onions, pickles, cheese and a homemade three-part sesame seed bun.Not only can you feel good about eating junk food, but by using plant protein you reduce your carbon footprint and help the planet too.

Are you ready to for this!?

Vegetarian Big Mac

Red Kidney Bean Patties
Makes 8 patties

Ingredients:
2 cans red kidney beans, drained
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 shallots
4 garlic cloves
2 tablespoon flax seeds, ground
6 tablespoons water
2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
2/3 cup wheat gluten
2 tablespoon soy sauce

Preparation:
Whisk together the ground flax seeds and water until foamy and set aside.
In a food processor or blender, process the shallots, garlic, beans, and olive oil until blended. Remove to a bowl and stir in the nutritional yeast and flax seeds, then add the wheat gluten and soy sauce, stirring until combined. Let the flavors meld together for at least 15 minutes before grilling over a charcoal grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill on each side about 5 minutes.

Sesame Seed Buns
Recipe via Saveur
Makes 12, you can freeze the leftovers for a later use

Ingredients:
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 1/3 cups milk, heated to 115F
1 1/2 teaspoons, plus 2 tablespoons sugar
4 cups flour
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2″ cubes, softened
canola oil or other neutral oil for greasing
3 teaspoons sesame seeds

Preparation:
In the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle, stir together yeast, milk, and 1 1⁄2 tsp. sugar; let foam. Stir in remaining sugar, flour, salt, and egg. Mix on low speed until dough forms. Replace paddle with dough hook; add butter; knead on medium-high speed until dough pulls away from sides of bowl, about 8 minutes. Transfer dough to an oiled bowl; cover with plastic wrap. Let rest in a warm place until doubled in size, about 2 hours.