Friday, August 29, 2008

Garbanzo Burgers

Let me preface this post with one important point: Heidi Swanson is my hero.  I first became addicted to her blog (101cookbooks.com) a year ago.  Then she put out the brilliant cookbook Super Natural Cooking.  I am working my way through each and every recipe, and I love pretty much every single one.
So here is one of her amazing ideas: Make a veggie burger, then cut it in half so it becomes the bun, with filling inside.  I know, what could be better? I ate mine with sprouts and tomato inside, slathered with some nonfat yogurt.  My husband had his on a piece of toast with mayo.  To each their own.  I just know I will definitely be making these often!

(from Super Natural Cooking by Heidi Swanson)
2 15 oz cans garbanzo beans, drained
4 large eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 onion, chopped
grated zest of one lemon
1 cup alfalfa sprouts, chopped
1 cup bread crumbs
1 tbsp olive oil
lettuce, tomato, avocado, onion etc. (whatever you prefer) for filling

Combine the garbanzos, eggs, and salt in a food processor and puree until the mixture is the consistency of a very thick, slightly chunky hummus.  Pour into a mixing bowl and stir in the cilantro, onion, zest, and sprouts.
Add the bread crumbs and stir, then 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 12 1 1/2 inch thick patties (I made mine slightly thinner).  
You can 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.
Heat the oil in a heavy skillet over medium-low heat, add 4 patties, cover, and cook for 7-10 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.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cate! Thank you SOOOOOO much for posting this! This looks absolutely amazing!!! Totally making these like THIS weekend!!

That Girl said...

This reminds me of my vegetarian days where EVERYTHING I ate was made of either eggs or garbanzo beans!