Garbage Plate

This utterly decadent meal is definitely not for days when you want a light meal. Originating from Rochester, this medley of meat and starches go perfect for a drunk night out. While the original garbage plate has been anything but vegan, modern food science has definitely allowed us to enjoy the piquancy of this dish. I was inspired to create this while watching a video from famous YouTuber, Jenna Marbles re-make this as a vegan version. Mind you, this recipe is NOT authentic, but it is how I like it prepared.

 

Garbage plate made with store-bought frozen fries

 

 

Macaroni Salad:

1 cup elbow macaroni pasta 

1/4 cup Mayonnaise (I use Veganaise) 

1/2 tbsp dijon mustard 

1/2 tbsp yellow mustard 

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp pepper 

1 tsp celery salt (optional)

1 stalk of celery

1 carrot

1/2 red onion

Potatoes:

2 large russet potatoes

(optional: feel free to use frozen fries to save time) 

 

Meat Sauce: 

1/4 cup gardein beefless crumble (or your choice of veg ground)

1/4 cup tomato puree 

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder 

2 tsp red chilli flakes

 

 

Burger Patties:

1 oz Beyond Meat Plant-Based Ground Beef

2 slices cheese (I like Chao vegan cheese)

 

Overall: 

Yellow Mustard

Ketchup

1. The first step is to prep the mac salad. You want the macaroni to marinate in the dressing you create while you prepare the rest. Boil water and prepare 1 cup elbow macaroni. As the pasta boils, chop up the celery, carrot and onion finely. Once the macaroni has been cooked, drain the pasta and add cold water over it to cool it. Move it over to a mixing bowl and add the mayonnaise, mustards, celery carrot, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, and celery salt. Set the bowl of mac salad in the fridge covered and let it rest.

2. Once you have prepared the macaroni, pasta, dice your potatoes. Bring another pot and add cold water. Add your diced potatoes to the water and set the water to boil. Once the water begins to boil, turn the heat off and drain the potatoes (this is to parboil them). Use another pan to sautee the potatoes in a neutral oil until they turn golden brown on the outside. Pull them aside from the heat and season with salt and pepper. 

3. Once the potatoes have been prepared, it's time to tackle the meat sauce and burger patties (you're halfway there, trust me)! In a small pot or sauce pan, add tomato puree, and gardein crumble (you may have to add a small amount of water if it gets too thick). Also add seasoning ingredients including garlic powder, onion powder, and red chili flakes. cover the vessel and let the chili sauce cook through simmer for about 10 minutes. **You can also just use frozen fries and bake them in the oven if you would like to skip this step

4. While the sauce is simmering, bring to heat, a flat pan. Break the serving of beyond ground beef in half and roll them into a ball. You will use these balls to create smash burgers. Place one burger on the pan and immediately squish down the burger with a spatula. I would recommend a spoon or other device to help your spatula push down hard to make them thin and crispy. Cook the patties for approximately 2 minutes on each side. Once you have flipped it, add your cheese. Do this to both patties 

5. Once all your sections are done. It is time to assemble! Place your potatoes on one half of a plate, and your mac salad on another half. Place a spread of your chilli sauce in the middle, overlapping both the potatoes and the mac salad. Rest the cheese and patties on top of the chili sauce and squirt the entire plate with lines of yellow mustard and ketchup. 

As you eat, make sure to mix it all up and enjoy all the flavors!