How to make a healthy meal unhealthy

If you know me well, you know that I love meat, especially burgers. I've always been very anti-veggie burger, because I don't think it's right to create substitutes for delicious tasty meat.

But, my opinions on the subject changed during a visit to Costco over the weekend. Matt doesn't usually like to go to the grocery store, but he accompanied his mom and I (and Katie) on a trip to Costco, because he likes to eat the samples. One of the samples that day was of Dr. Praeger's California Veggie Burgers. I reluctantly tasted a bite, and surprisingly LOVED it!

I think the key to a good veggie burger is this: the "burger" has to realize that it is what it is--veggies. Veggie burgers that try to taste like hamburgers are shitty. But, Dr. Praeger's owns up to its veggie ingredients, and just wants to taste like veggies, not burgers.

We ended up buying a big pack of the veggie burgers, because it was about $10 for 16 patties, which are individually wrapped. I like individually wrapped meat (or faux-meat) products because it's helpful when cooking for two people; you don't have to open up a whole pack of something.

I could have served them up on buns, with a healthy side dish. Instead, I melted cheddar cheese on them, and garnished with bacon, tomatoes, and grilled portobello mushrooms, and put them on buttered and toasted buns. They were pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.