Today, I made some veggie hash browns with chili leaves as a side dish for a Gardein patty and eggplant burger.  It was delicious and very easy to prepare.  I usually make my own vegan burgers, but I just wanted something quick for today’s lunch.  It took me thirty minutes to prepare, cook and serve.  And, I would usually have more veggies on the burger, but I ran out of tomatoes, lettuce and sprouts yesterday.

I used chili leaves because I have never cooked with them before.  My mom purchased it from the Asian store, when she was here for a visit, and left it in the freezer.  I am not sure what she was going to cook with it, but I was curious about it.  Surprisingly, it tastes very much like spinach.  So, if you do not have any chili leaves, feel free to just substitute it with 2 cups of fresh spinach.

Ingredients for hash browns:

• 16 oz bag of organic hash browns
• 1 medium-sized bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 red sweet pepper chopped (optional)
• 1 small-medium white onion (chopped)
• 5 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons of dulse granules (optional)
• 8 ounces of chili pepper leaves
• 2 pinches of curry
• 2 pinches of cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoon of oil (coconut or olive oil)

Directions:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan (I used my awesome wok).
2. Add onions and garlic.  Sweat the onions for a minute, then add the bell peppers.
3. After a couple of minutes, add the hash browns, dulse granules, curry and cumin.
4. Cook and stir well for about 5 minutes.
5. Then add sweet peppers and the chili leaves or spinach.  Then, cook for a couple of minutes.
6. Spray about 1 tablespoon on your griddle.
7. Transfer everything on the griddle and flatten the hash browns.
8. Cook for 10 minutes on each side in medium heat.
9. Add salt and pepper.
10. Serve and enjoy!

You can top it off with some cayenne peppers, jalapenos, green onions, etc.

Gardein Patty and Eggplant Burger

What you will need:

• Whole wheat buns
• Gardein “burger” patties
• 1 eggplant sliced (1 inch thick)
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 tablespoons of aged balsamic vinegarrette
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt
• 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning

Directions:

1. Cook the Gardein patties according to instructions on the back of the package.
2. Mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and Italian seasoning.
3. Place the sliced eggplant in a container and pour the oil and vinegar mixture in with it.
4. Cover and shake for a few minutes.
5. Heat up the pan and spray a little bit of olive oil on it.
6. Cook the eggplant in medium heat for four minutes on each side.
7. Place it in your gardein burger.
8. Dress it up with your favorite condiments.  Today, I used vegenaise and hot mustard.
9. Enjoy!