September 22, 2013

Lunch Box Challenge Day 22: The Non Burger, Spinach Tofu Burger

September 22, 2013

Do not, I repeat do not tell the kids there’s Tofu or Spinach in this, and don’t think too much about it yourself either. I wasn’t always eating tofu, I was one that grimaced and blah, yuck no way! Until I tried it anyways. Tofu takes on the flavors and tastes of what you put in it, so really you can’t complain about the taste at all. My kids will eat this burger cold rather than hot, do not ask me why I just serve it and walk away. They’re eating it, they aren’t complaining so who am I to question?

 The Non Burger, Spinach Tofu Burger

Ingredients

1 pound spinach
2 scallions chopped small
2 garlic cloves minced like crazy
1 block firm tofu  patted dry
1/2 cup  panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 tbs soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil
Salt and black pepper to taste

2 tbs vegetable oil, or more as needed for cooking

In a large pot bring water to a boil . While it heats up grab some ice and place it into another bowl. Once water boils place the spinach in the boiling water. Stir it and let it cook for about 2 minutes before draining. Put the spinach into the ice immediately. Drain it again, squeeze the life out of it with your hands getting out as much moisture as possible. Go to town and chop that stuff up like nobody’s business. Place it into a bowl.

Make the spinach happy and place scallions and garlic into the bowl .  Crumble the tofu into the bowl and mix up really well. Add in the bread crumble, seeds, soy sauce and oil. Sprinkle with Pepper and Salt then mix it up really well. If you have a food processor this would go faster, I don’t have one so I beat the snot out of it till it’s smooth. Yeah I just said that.

Divide into four patties, or smaller portions which ever is needed. Cover them and chill before cooking.  Put the 2 tablespoons oil into a skillet on medium heat. Slid patties into the oil  and cook about 6 minutes, 3 on each side or until cooked. Flip them carefully.
You can serve these right away or make a cold sandwich for lunch which my kids enjoy. My kids choose from several different sauces for this, BBQ sauce, Ketchup, Salsa, Guacamole, Soy sauce, hot sauce. They have even put ranch dressing on this . Yes my kids are creative! Assemble the way you want, with the sauce you want and lettuce. I picked arugula and sprouts.

I served this with sliced pears, and carrots with ranch sauce and some salsa for the kids to put on the burger.

Today’s Lunch Box Tip: Prepare lunches the night before. You can even place the entire lunch bag in the fridge itself. It won’t hurt to store the whole thing fruit and all in the fridge. Don’t let “no time” be the excuse to not make a lunch. If all the other tips I’ve given don’t help you save time simply make the entire thing the night before, place it in the fridge then grab and go the next morning…Just don’t forget it’s in there!

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