The Ultimate Veggie Burger – Simmer + Sauce

Ingredients

• 4 ounces extra-firm tofu, drained
• Extra virgin olive oil as needed
• 1/2 pound Cremini mushrooms, trimmed and sliced (use a pre-sliced bag of mushrooms)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, more as needed to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves
• One (15-ounce) can of red kidney beans, drained
• 3/4 cup red beet (use the pre-cooked ones in the vegetable section), coarsely grated
• 3/4 cup cashews
• 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
• 4 ounces tempeh, crumbled
• 1/2 cup cooked brown rice (use organic precooked brown rice in the freezer section)