We’re an equal opportunity household here at Chez Bullhog, open to just about any holiday celebration. So when our legislators floated proposals for decorating the capitol building here in Washington State, I had to cheer their consideration for putting up a Festivus Pole. I’m all for cross-cultural connections, after all.
In lieu of meatloaf, however, my vote for the latest holiday tradition is a simple, colorful and tasty vegetarian meal centering around Boca Chicken Burgers. They’re readily available and substantial enough to fill you up after an intense day of arm wrestling, power walking and hoisting the wassail ale. And did I say easy? Why, this might be the easiest recipe we do!
Fabby Festivus to all.
Faux Chicken Parmigiana with pasta and green beans
Serves 4
2 boxes Boca Original Meatless Chik’n Patties
2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
8 ounces of marinara sauce (we like Newman’s Own)
4 ounces shredded Italian style cheese (blend of mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan)
8 ounces penne pasta, cooked and drained
8 ounces fresh green beans
Salt and pepper to taste
- Preheat oven to 375°. Spread 2 teaspoons of the olive oil onto a cookie sheet, put the frozen chik’n patties on the oil and bake for 8 minutes. Turn over the patties and bake for 5 more minutes.
- Put 2 heaping teaspoons of sauce onto each patty, top with cheese, and bake for 5 more minutes, until the cheese is just beginning to brown.
- Meanwhile, top and tail the green beans. Steam for 5 minutes until lightly cooked. Remove the beans to a bowl and toss with a teaspoon of oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- When the patties are in for their final baking, heat a Tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan. Toss in the cooked penne and fry for a minute or two to heat through. Add a tablespoon of water if the pasta sticks to the pan. Remove to a bowl and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble plates in a festive presentation. This is Festivus, after all!
I’d go for it after cooking up a whirlkwind in the kitchen lately Don. Happy Festivus!!
Good idea. I love turning anything into a pizza. Never thought of doing that with a chick’n patty. I even had one for lunch today. Would have kicked it up a notch on this rainy day to make it a parmigiana sandwich. Yum, thanks for the tip.
The perfect meal to fuel “The Feats of Strength” — A Joyous Festivus to us all.
Oh, I thought you meant RUBBER chicken – as in a real political roast.
(:
A festivus for the rest of us. Bring on the airing of grievances! 😉
[…] madness. But then an email dropped into my inbox and I followed the link to Don (Sortachef)’s Festivus post. And, seeing that I was not alone, my enthusiasm was […]