These vegan patties were inspired by our friend and neighbor, Brian, who claims that celery root burgers are a popular food item in his home country of Denmark.  Brian sent us his notes for making patties, which we have adapted into this recipe.

We highly recommend using a food processor with a grater disk to prep the potatoes, carrot, and celery root.

Ingredients

• 1 pound white potatoes, peeled and grated
• 3/4 pound celery root, grated
• 1 medium carrot, grated
• 3 servings egg replacer (such as Ener-G)
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• Olive oil cooking spray

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes, celery root, carrot, egg replacer, and nutritional yeast. Add the salt and black pepper.
2. Liberally coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
3. Using clean hands, form palm-sized patties of the mixture, about 1/2-inch thick.  Squeeze slightly to remove excess water from each patty.  Place formed patties on the baking sheet, then give the top of each a light coating of cooking spray.  This recipe makes about 6-8 patties.
4. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.  With a thin spatula, carefully flip each patty, then bake for an additional 20 minutes.
5. Enjoy as a veggie burger or by themselves!

 

Quick pickles are fast and easy to make but should also be consumed shortly after making. Keep refrigerated and eat within a three days.

Ingredients

• 2 bunches radishes, topped, root removed, and sliced thin
• 1/2 bunch carrots, sliced thin
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup water

Preparation

1. Pack carrot and radish slices into a 1 quart mason jar.
2. In a small sauce pan, heat salt, sugar, vinegar, and water. Stir occasionally until the solids dissolve.
3. Pour liquid over the radishes and carrots and refrigerate until cool, 15 to 45 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 pound black beans, cooked
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon hot pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground cumin
• 2 sprigs epazote
• 1/2 can of beer (we used Real Ale’s Four Squared)
• Salt to taste

Preparation

1. In a large stock pot heat the olive oil over medium high heat in a large stock pot and saute onion until fragrant, about two minutes. Add pepper flakes and cumin and cook until onions are translucent, about three minutes.
2. Add beer and epazote. Bring to a boil then allow to cook over low heat until all of the liquid is incorporated and the beans take on a creamy consistency, about 15 minutes.
3. Remove epazote sprigs and serve.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large portabella mushroom cap, cut into 1/8-inch thick slices
• Salt and black pepper
• Sliced bread (substitute gluten-free if preferred)
• Vegan mayonnaise substitute
• 1 tomato, sliced
• Lettuce of your choice (Romaine or Bibb work well)

Preparation

1. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.  Carefully lay mushroom slices in the oil and fry on one side until liquid begins to be expressed, about 2-3 minutes.  Flip each slice and fry on the other side for another 2-3 minutes.  Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
2. To assemble sandwiches, spread a healthy serving of vegan mayonnaise substitute on two slices of bread. Stack a few lettuce leaves, a few slices of fried mushroom, and one to two tomato slices on the sandwich and enjoy!

James and I have not missed a Real Ale Anniversary Party since we moved to Austin. Every year we get a group of friends together to go out, prepare a picnic, and brave the heat to drink some great beers at one of Texas’ pioneering craft breweries.

This year we didn’t have to brave the heat, because instead of July, Real Ale decided to host the annual party in April! As soon as we got the announcement about the party we reserved a campsite at Blanco State Park. Blanco may have the tiniest park in Texas, but what it lacks in hiking it makes up for in location. The park is right downtown in Blanco and only a short two-mile walk to the brewery.

As much as we love drinking great beer with friends on a beautiful weekend, we also love cooking, especially cooking out. This weekend we resurrected a few good old recipes including black bean veggie sausages and massage kale salad. We also made a few good new ones including grilled beets, chickpea “tuna” salad, and chimichurri basted skewers.

Ingredients

• 1 pound cylindra beets, boiled, peeled, and sliced lengthwise in 1/4 inch thick slices
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt to taste

Preparation

1. Marinate beets in lemon juice and oil over night.  
2. Prepare a grill to medium heat.
3. Place beet slices on the grill and cook until tender, flipping every two minutes or so to avoid burning.
4. When fork tender, 10 to 15 minutes, sprinkle with salt on each side and serve.

Ingredients

• 2 cups chickpeas, cooked or canned
• 1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise substitute
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Fresh ground pepper and salt to taste

Preparation

1. Pulse chickpeas in a food processor or mash with a pastry cutter until coarsely ground.
2. Stir in vegan mayonnaise substitute and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.  

   

Ingredients

• 1 pound tofu, pressed and cubed
• 1 pound cremini mushrooms, halved
• 1 bunch fresh Italian parsley
• 1/4 cup fresh oregano leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Place tofu and mushrooms in a large food storage container. 
2. Combine parsley, oregano, garlic, lemon juice, and hot pepper flakes in a food processor or blender. Combine and drizzle with olive oil until the chimichurri mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Pour chimichurri mixture over the prepared vegetables and allow to marinate, refrigerated, over night.
4. Prepare grill to medium high heat.
5. Skewer  tofu and mushrooms. Place on grill and rotate occasionally to avoid burning. Brush with remaining chuimichurri to keep moist. Remove from gill and serve when mushrooms are tender.

Tofu takes the place of cheese in this stuffed shell recipe. The addition of dandelion greens and walnuts it is not only a healthy choice, it is very tasty!

 Ingredients

• 1 package large pasta shells, boiled and cooled
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 bunch of dandelion greens, chopped
• 1 pound firm tofu, crumbled
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• Zest from 1/2 a lemon
• 1 preparation of tomato sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese or Vegan Parmesan substitute (optional)

Preparation

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Over medium heat saute the onion until it is tender. Add garlic and continue cooking until fragrant, about one minute. 
2. Add dandelion greens, tofu, and walnuts. Continue cooking, stirring continuously, over medium heat until the greens begin to wilt, about two minutes.  Stir in the lemon zest, season with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat.
3. Stuff the shells and arrange in a large baking dish. When the dish is at capacity top with sauce and a little grated Parmesan cheese or cheese substitute.
4. Bake at 350 degrees until sauce simmers, about 15 minutes.

Gluten-free variation: Substitute gluten-free shell or manicotti pasta, or roll the filling in blanched Brussels sprouts greens or collard leaves.

This post is part of the Austin Food Blogger Alliance’s 2013 City Guide.  Each year AFBA members contribute articles about Austin food and drink to the City Guide as a resource for locals and visitors to Austin.

Austin is a great place to find unique food trucks that serve creative food prepared with fresh (and even local) ingredients. Austin is also a pretty good town for vegetarians and vegans. Many, if not most, food trucks in Austin have vegetarian (and often vegan) options. This list sticks to those food trucks that are primarily vegetarian or vegan, rather than trying to list nearly every food truck in town (for that, check out Austin Food Carts).  Food trucks tagged with V and GF have vegan and gluten-free options available. If we missed any trucks or you have anything to say about our list, please comment or email us!

---

Arlo’s VGF

Vegan Comfort Food – Burgers, Tacos, and More

Usual Location: 1104 East 6th Street (at Cheer Up Charlie’s)

Website: http://arlostruck.com/

Twitter: @arlosaustin

Menu: http://arlostruck.com/menu/

Suggested Dish: Bac’n Cheeze Burger

Arlo’s Food Truck serves up some of the best vegan comfort food in the city, from a food truck or otherwise. Arlo’s makes all of their vegan patties in-house, and they aim to use locally-sourced ingredients as much as possible.  A great place to have some yummy vegan food while enjoying a drink or draft kombucha and listening to live music at Cheer Up Charlie’s.

---

Bananarchy VGF

Revolutionary Frozen Banana Desserts

Usual Location: 603 West Live Oak Street

Website: http://bananarchy.net

Twitter: @bananarchyatx

Menu: http://bananarchy.net/blog/menu-2

Suggested Dish: The Afternoon Delight

Choose a size, dip, and toppings to build your own frozen banana or select one of their specialty frozen banana creations.  Either way, you’ll be sure to satisfy the need for a cool snack on a hot Austin day. There’s always frozen bananas in the banana stand!

---

Capital City Bakery V

Austin’s Best Vegan Sweets

Usual Location: 1901 Rio Grande Street

Website: http://www.capitalcitybakery.com

Twitter: @CAPCITYBAKERY

Menu: http://www.capitalcitybakery.com/menu/

Suggested Dish: Blackout Cupcake

Capital City Bakery is a 100% vegan bakery food truck that has made quite a splash since opening.  It has been featured on the Cooking Channel’s Unique Eats and won the Best Vegan Sweets award in the 2012 Austin Chronicle. Get there early because they often sell out of their excellent cupcakes.

---

Conscious Cravings VGF

Wraps, Salads, and Smoothies

Usual Location: 1901 Rio Grande Street

Website: http://consciouscravingsaustin.com/

Twitter: @Consciouscrvngs

Menu: http://consciouscravingsaustin.com/Menu.html

Suggested Dish: Chimichurri Seitan Wrap

Conscious Cravings prepares satisfying vegetarian wraps, salads, smoothies, and sides using local and organic ingredients as much as possible.  Their offerings are generally quite healthful, and they take pride in preparing their tasty sauces in-house.  Conscious Cravings is a great place to stop and refuel with a healthy lunch.

---

CoolHaus VGF

Gourmet Ice Cream Sandwiches on Chewy Cookies

Usual Location: 1104 E 6th St (but highly mobile with several trucks)

Website: http://eatcoolhaus.com

Twitter: @COOLHAUSATX

Menu: http://eatcoolhaus.com/menu

Suggested Dish: Salted Caramel on Double Chocolate

This fleet of imported food trucks from LA sport an ever-changing menu of ice creams and cookies.  Choose a cookie and ice cream flavor to craft your own ice cream sandwich, or just go for a bowl of the cold stuff. Crazy flavors, such as Balsamic Fig & Mascarpone, Spicy Pineapple & Cilantro, and Olive Oil & Rosemary, are joined by crowd favorites like Tahitian Vanilla and Coffee Oreo.

---

Guac N Roll VGF

Fresh and Unique Guacamole Made to Order

Usual Location: 3rd and Guadalupe

Website: http://www.guacnrollaustin.com

Twitter: @Guac_N_Roll

Menu: http://www.guacnrollaustin.com/#!the_truck/c21kz

Suggested Dish: The Saba O’Riley

This mohawk-sporting food truck specializes in very unique preparations of everyone’s favorite dip – Guacamole.  All the guacamoles are made fresh to order and served with warmed tortilla chips and your choice of house-made salsa. Guac N Roll also has a few non-guacamole-based dishes, including the only vegetarian posole (Mexican hominy soup) we’ve seen in Austin.

---

Moses Falafel VGF

Traditional Vegan, Gluten-Free Falafel

Usual Location: 610 W. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.

Website: http://www.moses-falafel-austin.com/

Menu: http://www.moses-falafel-austin.com/menu/

Suggested Dish: Full Pita Falafel with Tahini and Schug

Moses Falafel is an unassuming little food truck that has surprisingly good traditional Israeli falafel prepared by one of the friendliest food truck proprietors in town.  The falafel pita comes with cucumber & tomato salad, hummus, lettuce, pickles, tahini and/or schug (spicy sauce!).  Moses Falafel also has falafel tacos, eggplant pitas, fries, baklava, and a refreshing mint lemonade.

---

Nomad Dosa VGF

Build-Your-Own Indian Rice-Lentil Crepes

Usual Location: 1603 South Congress Avenue

Website: http://nomaddosa.com

Menu: http://nomaddosa.com/menu.php

Suggested Dish: Mumbai Mash-ala with Cilantro Chutney and Sambar

Don’t know what a dosa is?  It’s “a freshly made, rice-lentil batter fermented, savory filling stuffed, crispy sourdough tasting, all your senses engaging wrap/crepe/thin pancake of deliciousness, healthiness and nourishment!”  Sound awesome? It is! Head down to Nomad Dosa to get a build-your-own crispy or soft dosa with your choice of filling, toppings, and sides, and wash it down with a delicious mango lassi.

---

Schmaltz V

A Vegetarian Take on Jewish Deli Classics

Usual Location: 913 E Cesar Chavez Street (behind Farewell Books)

Website: http://www.facebook.com/SchmaltzAustin

Twitter: @schmaltzaustin

Menu: Check their chalkboard

Suggested Dish: “Harvey P” Seitan Pastrami Reuben and House-Made Pickles

Located in the small lot behind Farewell Books (previously Domy Books), Schmaltz makes excellent vegetarian (and often vegan) versions of classic Jewish deli sandwiches.  You really can’t go wrong with any of their offerings, but our favorites are the Seitan Pastrami and the Falafel Patty Melt.  Don’t forget to get a side of their vegan potato salad or their excellent house-made mixed vegetable pickles.

---

The Holy Cacao

Cake Balls, Hot Chocolate, and Other Desserts

Usual Location: 1311 South First Street

Website: http://www.theholycacao.com

Twitter: @HolyCacao

Menu: http://www.theholycacao.com/?attachment_id=2124

Suggested Dish: Rabbit Cake Ball and Mexican Drinking Chocolate

Sporting an interesting selection of cake balls and three types of real (non-powder-based) hot chocolate, the Holy Cacao is sure to satisfy your chocolate desires.

---

The Ice Cream Social V

Gourmet Ice Cream and Frozen Treats

Usual Location: 75 Rainey Street

Website: http://www.icecreamsocialbus.com/

Twitter: @icecreambusatx

Suggested Dish: Tres Leches Ice Cream in a Waffle Cone

Typically found amidst the trendy house bars of Rainey Street, The Ice Cream Social food bus is near full-service ice cream shop on wheels.  Choose from their gourmet ice cream flavors (like Peanut Butter Mole, Tres Leches, and Roasted Strawberry Cheesecake), add some toppings, and select your conveyance method (sugar cone, waffle cone, ice cream sandwich, or cup).  The Ice Cream Social also prepares some very nice popsicles with interesting flavors like sweet tea, Thai iced coffee, and white grape.

---

The Vegan Nom VGF

Rockin’ Vegan Tacos

Usual Location: 120 North Loop Boulevard

Website: http://www.facebook.com/TheVeganNom

Twitter: @thevegannom

Menu: The Vegan Nom Menu

Suggested Dish: Grilled Avocado Reale Taco and Bean Diablo Taco

One of my favorite taco spots in Austin, which, as an added benefit, is completely vegan!  The Vegan Nom whips up excellent vegan breakfast tacos, creative signature tacos, nachos, queso, and more.  Everything is made to order and comes with their great hand-made salsas.  Definitely worth a stop, especially if you’re in the North Loop area bar-hopping from Drink.Well. to the Workhorse.

---

The Vegan Yacht VGF

Ahoy, matey

Usual Location: 1110 East 12th Street

Website: http://theveganyacht.com/

Twitter: @theveganyacht

Menu: http://theveganyacht.com/menu

Suggested Dish: Freeto Burrito with Avocado

The Vegan Yacht prepares mostly organic, all-vegan fare for East Austin visitors and guests.  The Vegan Yacht makes most of their sauces and other non-vegetable ingredients by hand so they know where it came from.  Before visiting, be sure to check their Twitter or Facebook account as hours tend to be somewhat sporadic.

---

Other Austin Food Blogger Alliance City Guide articles about vegetarian food in Austin:

• Central, South, and Westlake from Jessica of ATX Gluten-Free
• Downtown from Nelly of aneelee
• East from Nelly of aneelee
• North from Lauren of Gourmet Veggie Mama

As a bonus tidbit of info, you can find other vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free restaurants around Austin (and in several other cities as well) with Locate Special Diet (and their Android and iPhone apps).