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Second attempt at re-creating the Northstar veggie burger? Not a complete fail-- it was a pretty good burger, but far from Northstar's.
The Kitchn posted a recipe (and the picture below) a year or so ago, and I finally got around to trying it July 4th for a family cookout in Cincinnati.
I made some changes to the initial recipe because in a conversation with an employee I found out they add chipotle peppers. There didn't appear to be anything smoky about the original kitchn recipe.
In my first attempt, I added about 3-4 Tb of adobo sauce, caramelized the onions and canned beets for 30 minutes, threw in pureed dried dates for sweetness, and 1/4 cup or so of oats to help them bind. The final product was beautiful, but a little too spicy, a little too sweet, not quite enough salty, and definitely not enough umami. We used a cast iron grill pan over a gas flame to cook them- 6-8 minutes on each side, and they were good.
My second attempt yesterday was different, but probably equally successful (or not?). Dylan thought they were better than the first. I think the texture improved, but not the flavor. I used a 3-grain blend (rice, spelt, barley) from Trader Joe's instead of short-grain brown rice, and also used a package of their refrigerated cooked beats and shredded them instead of chopped canned (or fresh). I still added adobo sauce, just a bit less; about 2 Tb of unsweetened applesauce instead of the dates; LOTS of ground black pepper; and more sea salt. And some soy sauce. And Kitchen Bouquet. And... a little bit of everything else in the kitchen. I added more rolled oats, and let them sit in the fridge few hours before grilling them, on a real grill. We brushed them with oil, and probably grilled them a total of 15 minutes or so on each side. They were the right sweet, smoky, spicy, and salty. The outside was charred and crispy from the grill, but the inside wasn't bright enough, and it was still missing the depth and richness from umami. I'm not sure what I'll try next time. It's been at least 6 months since I've had the real thing, so maybe I should go to Northstar and then brainstorm.
Here are a few ideas for the next batch
1. Cook rice/grains in a mushroom veggie broth + beet juice for more flavor and color
2. Mince and caramelize portobellos with the beets and onions
3. Experiment with other soy sauces
4. Balsamic vinegar instead of cider
5. MSG MSG MSG :)
Any suggestions?
Going into school to see my classroom for the first time!
After a long, disappointing, job-hunting-summer, I had a last minute interview yesterday morning and was offered a 6th grade language arts and math position! I tearfully accepted and celebrated by buying school supplies :D
School starts in one week!
Today is a big day--
It's Dylan and my one year anniversary!
Time is a funny thing. I can't believe the wedding was 365 days ago, but at the same time, it feels like we've been married forever. Our life and love doesn't feel much different than it did 3 1/2 years ago when we started dating. We still stare at one another, asking "is this real?" Things that have changed: we don't play Othello as much, Dylan has a "real job," we're dealing with a perpetual health insurance nightmare, we have a puppy who we love and adore. Married life could not be better, and I couldn't imagine a more perfect husband than Dylan.
Father's Day! 
I'm cooking up a storm today! I offered to make dinner for Father's Day with my in-laws.
Here's the menu:
Roasted Vegetable Lasagne
Tomato Salad with Red Onion and Fresh Herbs
Spinach salad with feta and strawberries
French Baguette
Lemon Blueberry Cream Puffs
Last night I went to Trader Joe's and had the most efficient trip ever. I stuck to the grocery list with the exception of two bottles of wine: Green Fin White Table Wine and Ruggero di Tasso’s Nero d’Avola. Both were under $5, but both came recommended, so we'll see!
The eggplant, peppers, and zucchini are roasted, the lemon curd is cooling, I'm just about to add fontina and basil to finish the béchamel. After I assemble the lasagne, I'll make the blueberry sauce and cream puff shells, then I'm going to have some play time with Matilda on the rug I bought last night: 
It's soft and pretty and makes our living room feel like a room. And Matilda can't stop rolling around on it. Which brings me to the third landmark today:
Matilda's Birthday!
Pets Without Parents didn't know exactly how old Matilda was when we adopted her last October, but they listed her birthday as sometime the first week of June. We decided to celebrate June 20. She gives me and Dylan immeasurable love and joy, and we can't imagine a better puppy.
We received our albums last week in time for Mother's Day! Our moms seemed to love them, and overall Dylan and I are happy with their quality and price. It's been a lot of fun have one around to flip through and smile about :). Here's a link:
Thanks to one of my best girlfriends, Jess, I've started reading Apartment Therapy again. I'm a few weeks late, but so excited about this (click image for link):
It's on reserve at the library, school's almost out for summer, and I can't wait to start revamping our home and belongings! And then have a party!
