VEGGIE BURGER

Ultimate Veggie Burger Recipe

These make great do-ahead meals, and you can store shaped, ready-to-cook patties in the refrigerator for a week's worth of work lunches. I sometimes use sprouted chickpeas, and they are becoming more readily available. But if you can't find them, canned or cooked chickpeas will work great. Sprouting boosts their already fantastic nutritional value even more. Also, for any friends who avoid gluten, in place of the breadcrumbs called for in the recipe, replace with puffed quinoa cereal. And if you're grilling, you can cook these on a small griddle.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/2 cups chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 onion, quartered
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Grated zest of one large lemon
• 1 cup micro sprouts, chopped (try broccoli, onion, or alfalfa sprouts), optional
• 1 cup toasted whole-grain bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (or clarified butter)

INSTRUCTIONS

MAKE THE VEGGIE BURGERS

1. If you are using sprouted garbanzos, steam them until just tender, about 10 minutes. Most of you will be using canned beans, so jump right in. Pulse the onions a few times in a food processor. Add the garbanzos, eggs, and salt. Puree until the mixture is the consistency of a very thick, slightly chunky hummus. Pour into a mixing bowl and stir in the cilantro, zest, and sprouts. Add the breadcrumbs, stir, and let sit for a couple of minutes so the crumbs can absorb some of the moisture. At this point, you should have a moist mixture that you can easily form into twelve 1 1/2-inch-thick patties, or six larger patties. I err on the moist side here, because it makes for a nicely textured burger. You can always add more bread crumbs a bit at a time to firm up the dough if need be. Conversely, a bit of water or more egg can be used to moisten the batter.

COOK AND SERVE

1. Heat the oil in a heavy skillet over medium low, add 4 patties, cover, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, until the bottoms begin to brown. Turn up the heat if there is no browning after 10 minutes. Flip the patties and cook the second side for 7 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the skillet and cool on a wire rack while you cook the remaining patties. Carefully cut each patty in half, insert your favorite fillings, and enjoy immediately.