I love a good burger, a juicy grilled burger to be exact. As I've been experimenting more with my diet, and *listening* to what my body tells me that it wants, I'm finding that it wants less and less meat. Don't get me wrong, I'm not giving up meat, not intentionally anyway, but I've noticed that I really don't want it much. I am still eating a lot of fish, but really crave greens and veggies lately.
My husband hasn't been very receptive of the change (I do almost all of the cooking), as he declared one evening "I am not a vegetarian. Where is the meat?"
It's hard cooking for two different tastes. I try and compromise when I can, and will often make something with meat and then save a little on the side without for myself. But I refuse to cook two different dinners each night, so some nights he has to deal with it (; Unless of course, as I politely told him, he would like to cook dinner.
Since it doesn't look like I'll be replaced in the kitchen anytime soon, the vegetarian experimenting will continue - within reason, of course, since I know the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. And my man's got a meat loving stomach!
To be frank, the reason I made these wasn't because I was craving a good burger - it was because I hadn't planned ahead, a friend gave me the recipe and I realized I had everything on hand (love when that happens!). They turned out delicious, although, if you're expecting a burger you will be disappointed.
I find that a lot of people try and substitute ingredients, but then expect they will taste the same. Here's a tidbit of useful info as you experiment in the kitchen: if it's not beef, it's not going to taste like beef. A veggie, chickpea, mushroom, tofu, etc. burger is NEVER going to taste like a beef hamburger, so if that's what you're looking for - make a beef burger.
These other options will; however, open your palate to new tastes and allow you an opportunity to test out new textures, flavors and ingredients. That's why I like this recipe, there are flavors that I would never have considered putting together and they worked beautifully together!
Chickpea Burgers
makes 4 patties
2 T oil
1 cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped carrot
1 t cumin
1 can chic peas, rinsed and drained
1 ½ T peanut butter OR tahini (I used PB)
¼ chopped fresh parsley
½ t salt
1/3 cup flour (I used buckwheat, but you could use any flour)
1/2 c cornmeal, for dusting before grilling
Sauté the onions in 1 T oil for 5 minutes. Add the carrots and sauté for an additional 2 minutes. Add the cumin and sauté one more minute.
My husband hasn't been very receptive of the change (I do almost all of the cooking), as he declared one evening "I am not a vegetarian. Where is the meat?"
It's hard cooking for two different tastes. I try and compromise when I can, and will often make something with meat and then save a little on the side without for myself. But I refuse to cook two different dinners each night, so some nights he has to deal with it (; Unless of course, as I politely told him, he would like to cook dinner.
Since it doesn't look like I'll be replaced in the kitchen anytime soon, the vegetarian experimenting will continue - within reason, of course, since I know the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. And my man's got a meat loving stomach!
To be frank, the reason I made these wasn't because I was craving a good burger - it was because I hadn't planned ahead, a friend gave me the recipe and I realized I had everything on hand (love when that happens!). They turned out delicious, although, if you're expecting a burger you will be disappointed.
I find that a lot of people try and substitute ingredients, but then expect they will taste the same. Here's a tidbit of useful info as you experiment in the kitchen: if it's not beef, it's not going to taste like beef. A veggie, chickpea, mushroom, tofu, etc. burger is NEVER going to taste like a beef hamburger, so if that's what you're looking for - make a beef burger.
These other options will; however, open your palate to new tastes and allow you an opportunity to test out new textures, flavors and ingredients. That's why I like this recipe, there are flavors that I would never have considered putting together and they worked beautifully together!
Chickpea Burgers
makes 4 patties
2 T oil
1 cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped carrot
1 t cumin
1 can chic peas, rinsed and drained
1 ½ T peanut butter OR tahini (I used PB)
¼ chopped fresh parsley
½ t salt
1/3 cup flour (I used buckwheat, but you could use any flour)
1/2 c cornmeal, for dusting before grilling
Sauté the onions in 1 T oil for 5 minutes. Add the carrots and sauté for an additional 2 minutes. Add the cumin and sauté one more minute.
Put mixture in food processor and add chic peas, peanut butter (or tahini).
Remove and mix in flour, salt and parsley.
Shape into patties and pat into cornmeal. I used an indoor grill pan, brushed with EVOO, and grilled each patty for about 3 minutes on each side, until I had nice grill marks. I grilled my sprouted grain buns as well.
Shape into patties and pat into cornmeal. I used an indoor grill pan, brushed with EVOO, and grilled each patty for about 3 minutes on each side, until I had nice grill marks. I grilled my sprouted grain buns as well.
Knowing my husband, I knew I couldn't just serve the burger as is so I topped mine with shredded gouda and mashed up avocado.
What is your favorite way to experiment and put a new twist on an old classic?
Enjoy!
XoXo,
Nicole
Enjoy!
XoXo,
Nicole
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