MUSHROOM BURGERS - Chopped Portobello

Here's another tasty mushroom burger recipe - this time we used chopped portobello mushrooms instead of leaving the mushroom whole. There's a little more involved however the results are worth it!

INGREDIENTS:


2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 large shallot, finely chopped - can substitute 1/4 chopped white onion
2 pounds portobello mushrooms, finely chopped
1/2 cup button mushrooms (roughly chop)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup carrots, minced
1/4 bunch of Italian parsley, washed, stems removed, finely chopped
2 cups fresh bread crumbs (about 3 slices)
1 egg
1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
4 ounces Stilton cheese, crumbled - or any sharp cheese
Hamburger buns
Makes 4 burgers

DIRECTIONS:


In a small saute pan over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and saute shallot/onion until translucent.
Add mushrooms, garlic, carrots and saute for 10 to 15 minutes, until most of the liquid from mushrooms has evaporated.
Remove from heat and pour mixture into a large bowl. Let cool.
Stir in parsley, bread crumbs, egg, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. The mixing spoon should stand in the mixture. If not, add more bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Shape mushroom mixture into 4 burgers. Heat remaining oil in a large saute pan over medium high heat and sear until golden on both sides.
Crumble cheese over the top and place pan in oven for 15 minutes until lightly browned.
Remove each burger to a bun and serve with traditional garnish of sliced onion, tomato, pickle and fries.

MUSHROOM BURGERS

This is one of our daughter's favorite mushroom veggie burgers that her friend makes. It's quick, easy and teen proof!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 c. mushrooms, raw and chopped
• 1 tbsp. butter
• Dash of nutmeg
• Salt and cayenne pepper to taste
• 1 egg
• 1/4 c. onion, chopped
• 1/4 c. green pepper, chopped
• 1 c. whole wheat bread crumbs
• 1 tomato
• Slices of red onion
• Leaves of lettuce
• Buns
  

Saute mushrooms in butter.

Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper.

Place mushrooms in mixing bowl with beaten egg, add onion, green pepper, and shape into patties.

Add more bread crumbs if needed to hold together.

Fry patties in a little butter in hot skillet.

Melt a slice of cheese on top for cheese - mushroom burgers.

Serve with lettuce, tomatoes and sliced red onion.

Serve on whole wheat buns, sesame seed buns, or pita bread which is my favorite!

Serves 4 or 5.

Portobello Mushroom Burger

Another yummy picture of the Portobello Mushroom Burger - recipe on the last post.

Portobello Mushroom Burgers

Our daughter has decided to become a vegetarian again - her nickname is now "Recession Vegetarian" So in her honor we will do our best to submit many delicious veggie burgers.

Portobello Burger is considered the steak of veggie burgers. Serve on a bun with lettuce, tomato, and aioli sauce.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 portobello mushroom caps
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 (1 ounce) slices provolone cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place the mushroom caps, smooth side up, in a shallow dish. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, basil, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour over the mushrooms. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes or so, turning twice.
2. Preheat grill for medium-high heat.
3. Brush grate with oil. Place mushrooms on the grill, reserving marinade for basting. Grill for 5 to 8 minutes on each side, or until tender. Brush with marinade frequently. Top with cheese during the last 2 minutes of grilling.

Unemployed Guide to New York

I recently came across this great NYC reference guide to cheap eats in NYC and I plan on trying most if not all of the places - I will keep you posted!

New York is paradise for the under and unemployed set (so much to do!), but it ain’t cheap. So forget searching out that new job and exploit the city’s bar and restaurant deals instead. As a former taxpayer, you deserve that free slice of pizza and bottomless glass of wine as much as the rest of us do.

Freebies Galore

Alligator Lounge

600 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY
No lamenting the cost of food at this Williamsburg bar. Line your stomach with a complimentary slice of brick-oven pizza with every drink order. If you feel like splurging, dish out a buck or two for extra toppings such as caramelized onions.

The Sunburnt Cow

137 Avenue C, New York, NY
The laid-back Aussies in charge of this funky East Village hangout won’t judge you for being unemployed, so go for brunch ($15) and enjoy an endless supply of bloody marys, mimosas or beer for as long as you’re seated. If Sunday seems too far away, stop by on a weekday for two all-you-can-drink hours ($20), anytime between 4pm and 8pm.

Thirsty Scholar

155 2nd Ave, New York, NY
Oops! You forgot to open that savings account your parents recommended, and now you’re jobless and hungry. Thank the deity of the unemployed at this Village institution, where the buffet--offering pub grub like chili and rice--is free from 5pm to 8pm.

Columbia Cottage

1034 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY
At this student favorite, your glass of white wine is bottomless while you eat your entree, so push that General Tso's around your plate and lengthen your stay at the table. The wine might be cheap, but so are you these days.

Sixpoint Craft Ales

40 Van Dyke St, Brooklyn, NY
One thing you get out of being jobless is more free time. Use it to check off all the things you've been meaning to do, like learning jujitsu and touring a Brooklyn brewery that stresses an all-natural and unfiltered approach to the ancient art of brewing. During a free tour (by appointment only), you'll get one full free beer plus multiple tastings.

Dashing Diva

1341 2nd Ave, New York, NY
Being unemployed is far more stressful than working for a living--all the more reason to pamper yourself with a spa treatment. Just time your appointment between 5pm and 9pm on Thursday or Friday and get a free cosmo out of the deal.

Ear Inn

326 Spring St, New York, NY
Old-school artists and Tribeca newbies frequent this spot for its 19th century appeal, but the appeal to you is the free food. At the bar, pick on tuna melts or whatever else the cook decides to offer for a happier hour that day (5pm to 6pm, Mon-Fri).

Gray's Papaya

2090 Broadway, New York, NY
Conscientious hot dog connoisseurs make living cheap easy with the chain's recession special. Scrounge around for $3.50 and head over to get two dogs and a drink. Leave satisfied--until your digestive system commands you to return for two more.

Related links:

• Restaurant and bar deals
• Cheap eats
• Stuff to do with your free time

Pizza Town USA in NJ

We found Pizza Town USA by accident.

We were on our way to Callahan's famous foot long hot dogs on Route 46 in NJ only to find it was torn down! Starving and driving, we noticed a pizza stand with a line (always a good sign) and decided to stop. Pizza Town USA is a tiny place, but there were a few benches inside - picnic style. Not too many choices which for me is a good thing - if you order by the slice your only choice in plain but well worth it. $1.55 per slice and the crust is thin just how I like it - not goopy or drippy pizza but good East coast, fold it over style pizza and at a good price. Take note that when you order - be fast - it reminded me a bit of the SNL skit "cheese burger cheese burger pepsi pepsi" but again, well worth it!

BTW - Pizza Town USA has been there for 50 years - that means something now-a-days!

Pizza Town USA
89 Route 46
Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
201-797-6172
$1.55 per slice

White and Green Chili

Beans are very nutritional and they "stick to the ribs". This is a very easy and quick recipe that my family loves - and a salad goes well with this dish.

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound ground beef or for a leaner chili use ground turkey
1 small onion, chopped
2 15-ounce cans Northern or white beans, rinsed and drained
1 14-ounce chicken broth
1 16-ounce jar prepared green salsa
1-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (you can never have enough cilantro!)
1/2 cup sour cream
tortilla chips for garnish
pickled jalapeños for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat a large Dutch oven over high heat. Add meat loaf mix and onion; cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, for 5 minutes, until no longer pink. Drain any fat. Add beans, broth, salsa and cumin. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
2. Stir in 3 tablespoons cilantro. Divide among 4 serving bowls. Top each serving with sour cream and garnish with remaining 1 tablespoon cilantro. Makes 4 servings.