Umami's Earth Burger + Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Nine months after I married Bacon... As was previously established, I have a problem when it comes to burgers.  I love them...  I mean, not enough to marry them (it's not like they're bacon)...  but I did like them so much that I was certain that they were the only delicious meaty food I would miss once I became a vegetarian (please note: I was wrong). However, I wanted to give this vegetarian thing a fair shake so I set my sights on creating a delicious meat-free patty..  after all, I live in a big city and I know about things and I have been known to enjoy a spicy black bean burger from Chili's every now and again....

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SMOKED TOMATO SAUCE (FROM CHICAGO'S HEAVEN ON SEVEN RESTAURANT)

SMOKED TOMATO SAUCE (FROM CHICAGO'S HEAVEN ON SEVEN RESTAURANT) Nom Nom Nom I fell in love with smoked tomato sauce quite by chance. Chicago, circa June Last December, while on a road trip from The Middle Of Nowhere, MN to The Middle Of Nowhere, MI, my fiancee and I stopped to have dinner with my brothers and sisters in Chicago.  Residents of the Windy City are a proud people.  And as anyone who knows a Chicagoan can attest to, any time you are in, at, or around Chicago, they will take you downtown for a taste of life in the Big City.  It doesn't matter if you live in a much bigger city (like LA)...  or if...

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ANGEL DUST CAJUN SEASONING

ANGEL DUST CAJUN SEASONING This all purpose Cajun seasoning is courtesy of Chef Jimmy Bannos (Chicago's Heaven on Seven restaurant). INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons Hungarian paprika1 1/2 tablespoons Spanish paprika5 teaspoons salt1 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves1 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves1 teaspoon ground white pepper1/2 teaspoon dried basil1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1/8 teaspoon garlic powder1/8 teaspoon onion powder DIRECTIONSCombine all ingredients in a small bowl until thoroughly mixed. Store in a an airtight contain...

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