6inchesdaikon radishescut into long ¼-inch-wide strips
6inchesleek light green and white parts only, halved, washed well, and thinly sliced crosswise
1/2cupwhite vinegar
1/4cupapple cider vinegar
3tbspbrown rice syrup
1tbspbrown mustard seed
1/2tspSea Salt
gochujang
1/4cupagave
3tbspapple cider vinegar
1/3cupKorean ground chile
1/3cupglutinous rice flour
3tbspsoy flour
1tbspall purpose flour
1/2tspSea Salt
burgers
1poundseitanchopped
1/2cupyellow onionchopped
3tbspground coriander
1tbspcrushed red pepper flakes
2tbspKorean ground chile
3tbsptomato paste
3tbspsoy sauce
2tbspolive oilextra virgin
1cupall purpose flour
for the assembly
1tbsptoasted sesame oil
1cupkimchihomemade or store bought
2tbspvegan margarinesuch as Earth Balance
4burger buns
1cupsriracha mayonaise
1cupbaby arugula
black sesame gomasio
Instructions
Pickle the vegetables
Bring the white vinegar, cider vinegar, brown rice syrup, mustard seeds, salt, and ¾ cup water to a boil in a small pot over high heat. Stir the radish and leeks into the boiling liquid, cover the pot, and turn off the heat. Allow the vegetables to marinate in the covered pot for 10 minutes.
Pour the pickled vegetables and brine into a glass jar and cool, without the lid, for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator. Use immediately, or store for up to 10 days, covered with a lid, in the refrigerator.
Make the gochujang
Bring the agave nectar, cider vinegar, and 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat
Place the Korean chile, rice flour, soy flour, all-purpose flour, and salt in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix the ingredients at low-medium speed, while slowly pouring in the hot liquid ingredients. Continue to mix for about 2 minutes to form a sticky red paste. Allow the paste to cool, and use immediately; or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Make the burgers
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly oil the paper.
Place the seitan, onions, coriander, red pepper flakes, Korean chile, tomato paste, soy sauce, and olive oil in a food processor and process for 2 minutes, or until the seitan and onions are in very small fragments. Place the ground mixture in a mixing bowl and thoroughly mix the flour in.
Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions. With wet hands, roll the portions into balls and flatten them gently into smooth disks on the prepared baking sheet. Bake the burgers for 12 to 14 minutes, until the outsides of the burgers are firm but not dried out.
Assemble the sandwiches
Heat the sesame oil in a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté the kimchi in the hot oil for 5 minutes, until hot and fragrant.
In a separate pan over medium heat, melt the margarine. Cook the burgers on one side for 2 minutes. Flip the burgers and cook for 2 minutes on the second side.
Split the burger buns and toast in a third pan, cut side down. Spread 2 tablespoons of the Sriracha mayonnaise onto the cut sides of each bun. Place ¼ cup of the arugula on the bottom half of each bun, followed by a burger. Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of the gochujang on each patty, spoon on ¼ cup of the sautéed kimchi and 2 to 3 tablespoons of the pickled vegetables, and then add 1 tablespoon of the gomasio. Finish the burger with the top half of the bun.
Notes
It just wouldn’t be right if this didn’t come on a bun slathered with Sriracha Mayonnaise and topped with crisp, fresh baby arugula. So make sure to do it right!Do you love this recipe as much as I do? Check out more food. curated. favorites in Adam's awesome book: Street Vegan! Yum.