The Origin of the Asian Burger

Theresa had already developed two different kinds of veggie burgers.   Most people would have have stopped at that...but she wasn't done yet.   While she liked both burgers she felt that there had to be something different that would appeal to more people.   Something with a subtle and exotic  taste.   


Now it has always been a sort of tradition in our homes that Friday night is Pizza night and Saturday is all about having Chinese food.   One Saturday night it struck her that she really loves the way the flavors meld together in Asian cooking.    This got her thinking about Asian ingredients.   The first thing she thought of was fresh ginger....she had been reading about ginger's great health benefits.   From there the ingredients came together....ginger, garlic, soy sauce....


Around this time we also started hearing about Edamame or soy beans. They are filled with nutrients such as protein and fiber.  These would be perfect to add to her recipe.   In thinking of her other recipes she realized that regular breadcrumbs would not do.  She needed to think outside box.   As she was shopping she came across a small box of Panko breadcrumbs.   They are lighter and totally fit into the idea of an Asian veggie burger.   When we first started they were hard to find in large quantities but now they are everywhere.   I think we were a trendsetter.   


I love when we make these.   I love the smell as the vegetables are sauteed and the colors are amazing.    Turns out so many people love them too.   This is by far a favorite of our customers.  

The Asian Veggie Burger with  homemade wasabi ketchup

Chatham Farmer's Market 8/14/10 Recap

What a beautiful day we had at the Chatham Farmer's Market last Saturday.   The weather totally cooperated...not too hot and very sunny.    The traffic seemed a bit slow but we did ok in the sales department.   We sold out of all the hummus....which made me sad because I didn't get to take any home but glad because people really liked it.   We are off for the next two weeks returning on Sept 4th.....hopefully people will be lined up and glad to see us.

Here are some the sights from Saturday....the entertainment were a group of flutists who played very well.

T's display...

Theresa with two of the Hummus'

Our Hummus display....went quick!

Flutists

Doesn't our Booth look nice?   

All in all another nice day-----hope to see everyone on Sept 4th.....will update more later~

Prepping for the Market~

We have a routine for cooking and prepping for the Farmer's Market.   We cook one night then package the next day.    I usually do the packaging but sometimes Theresa will come and start it while she is preparing the sides we are going to bring for the week.   Last week we were all about Salsas and Chutney's but not this week.   Tomorrow we are bringing three different kinds of Hummus. There is Red Pepper Hummus, Roasted Garlic Hummus and a Lentil Hummus made with herbs like rosemary, sage & oregano.     Theresa roasts the peppers and garlic herself then adds her magic touch.    I just got back from packing them out.

Lentil is on the left...Red Pepper on the right --Garlic to be packed~

another view...

The Lentil Hummus has a distinct taste of herbs and a smooth consistency...I see it paired with cheese.   The Red Pepper has a mild taste and the Garlic is well--garlicky with a kick.   Definitely something for everyone....

See you at the Chatham Borough's Farmer's Market~~~

Chatham Farmer's Market 8/7/10~Recap

Yesterday was a gorgeous day at the Market.    We had a good production week and had lots of veggie burgers on hand to sell.   The plan on Market days is that I pick up the burgers and any sides we are selling at the deli early in the morning.   I got a late start and got stuck in a bit of traffic but was able to get there by 8:30 am.   What takes me so long sometimes is the fact I need to pack out and package any of the salads or sides we make....

This week Theresa made two sides with Peaches being the main ingredient.   We wanted to tie into the fact that the Chatham Farmer's Market was having a Peach Festival yesterday since it is National Peach Month.  

She made a Peach/Mango Salsa that was a direct result of customers liking our Peach Salsa and our Mango Salsa she made a few weeks ago.   They kept asking if they would be good to combine...plus the Mangos were very sweet.  I Loved it....here is how we set up our tasting for customers--the combination of the sweet salsa with the salty chips was amazing:

Peach/Mango Salsa on Corn Chips

She also made an incredible Savory Peach Chutney....she texted me to taste before I packed it out----I texted back:  DELICIOUS!!!   Here is the Market's Manager Janice Piccolo and Theresa prepping samples:

Theresa & Janice

Janice was great....she even got the Peach Princess to hand out our samples as she walked around the Market.   Who knew New Jersey had a Peach Queen who has a court of Peach Princess'?   

NJ Peach Princess

 This was a fun day at the Market...we sold quite a few veggie burgers and got such nice compliments on our food.   We even had the help of Theresa's oldest son and my nephew Daniel....which was good because like I said I got a late start.   

Daniel & Theresa

All in all a good day....wonder what Theresa will want to bring next week since the salsa and the chutney went over so well....oh and top seller of the week----our Asian Veggie Burger....description to come!

The Origin of the Barbecue Veggie Burger

Theresa was in a quandary....how to get her kids to like and eat more vegetables.   She had already developed the Southwestern burger but her kids wouldn't eat it because of the spices.   Then she had an idea....kids like sweet...so she decided to make a sweeter veggie burger and put in a vegetable she knows her kids love--mainly corn.    She already knew they like her barbecue sauce because she had been making that for awhile so why not use that with a veggie mix.    What developed was a most kid friendly veggie burger that lots of adults like too.   We had quite the learning experience with this one....I think I mentioned  it before how we never new Worcestershire sauce has anchovies in it....we had to find one that didn't in order to be a true veggie burger.   We found Annie's Naturals which has a vegan sauce--problem solved.   Anyway the Barbecue Veggie Burger is still a very popular flavor but wouldn't you know it  her kids have developed a taste for "spicy" & "hot" and love her Southwestern Veggie Burger too.....

Thoughts about the Market~

Yesterday was such a rewarding day at the Market.   We saw so many returning customers that it was quite gratifying.  One girl said she missed us and bought a few packages of her favorites...which was pretty much at least one of each flavor.   The Mayor of Chatham even stopped by to get some....he said they were one of the best out there....basically comparing ours to ones he tasted in India...which I think was a compliment.  We also had a helper ~my youngest nephew Joseph came and really helped.   He was our pitchman and go to person.   He talked to the customers and sold lots of burgers.   He liked to flip the burger samples the best....something about boys/men and grills.  


Here are some photos I found on an old disc that I had forgotten about: