Great sides to compliment your burgers

Thinking of having burgers but not sure what to make with them?  Here are a couple quick and easy ideas.

Smashed Lemon Potatoes

10-12 small baby red potatoes
1 tbsp olive oil
Juice from 1/2 lemon
salt and pepper to taste

Wash the potatoes and stick each one with a knife a couple times.

  Cook the potatoes - skins on - until tender.  I usually microwave them.  Most microwaves have a potato button that will set the time for you.  Another option is to boil them.  After cooking, allow them to cool enough to be able to touch.  Turn the oven on to Broil.  Place the potatoes, one by one, on a hard surface and smash them flat with the palm of your hand.  Transfer them to a baking sheet lined with foil and sprayed with cooking spray.  Brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

 Place under the boiler for 10-20 minutes - or until crispy and golden brown.  As soon as they come out of the oven, squeeze half a lemon over the potatoes, then immediately follow with another sprinkle of salt and enjoy!

You can always pan fry these potatoes as well if you want them crispier.  Place about 1" of vegetable oil in a frying pan and heat up.  Fry the potatoes, about 4 at a time, cooking each side about 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown.  After cooking, proceed as above with lemon and salt.


Grilled Asparagus

This is my favorite way to cook asparagus.  It is very quick and easy...and healthy!  No oils needed.


Preheat the grill on high.  Wash the asparagus and cut the ends off  - about 1-2".  While still damp, sprinkle with salt.  Lay the asparagus directly on the grill.

Turn occasionally until the asparagus has grill marks.  You don't want to over cook them.  You want them to maintain a little crunchiness.  Remove from grill and enjoy immediately! 

I usually makes these sides to accompany veggie burgers.  Our favorites are Morningstar Farms Chipotle Black Bean Burgers or Original Grillers.  If you want to spice them up a bit more, you can make a flavored mayo.

Chipotle Mayo

1 Cup mayo (any variety, including vegan mayos, will work)
2-3 chipotle peppers (in adobo sauce)
1-2 tbsp adobo sauce
Juice from 1/2 lime
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.  Use more or less chipotle peppers and adobo sauce depending on how spicy you like it.

Basil Mayo

1 Cup mayo (again, any variety works)
1 garlic clove, peeled and roughly chopped
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 Cup fresh basil, chopped (I often use basil in a tub - located in the produce aisle near the fresh herbs - its tastes great and keeps a lot longer than fresh basil.  You would use about half the tube or a little more, depending on personal taste)
1-2 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in food processor until smooth.