In 12 weeks time we shall all be gearing down for Christmas with some of us coming to a stuttering halt as we just about get there intact. Yes it’s the first of October today so I am allowed to mention the festivities. Looking forward to and enjoying the build-up to Christmas will get us through the darkening days and over the hump of what can be a depressing time as nights close in on top of us. In my countdown I will be marking the 12 remaining weeks with a recipe from my cookbook Enjoy!
The first that I am sharing is my Spiced Vegetarian Burger. I love a little bit of heat in my cooking and chilli often features as it does here in the form of chilli powder. In this recipe I use a lot of store-cupboard ingredients so if you stock up you can be sure of something tasty during the hibernation period.
Spiced Vegetarian Burger
Too often, vegetarian burgers are lightweight and unsatisfying. What I like about these is that they look meaty and are robust and filling. The patties can be prepared ahead of time and left in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
Serves 6
You will need:
3 slices of multigrain whole-wheat bread (approx. 170g)
1 medium onion
2 tbsp rapeseed or coconut oil
100g mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tsp regular paprika
1 tsp hot chilli powder
1 x 400g tin of lentils
1 x 400g tin of kidney beans
1 egg, beaten
Cornflour, for dusting
Baps, buns or bread rolls, to serve
Method:
Blitz the bread in a food processor or mini-chopper to create breadcrumbs and set aside.
Finely chop the onion and soften in 1 tablespoon of oil heated in a large frying pan over a low heat for 5 minutes. Finely chop the mushrooms and crush the garlic, then add them to the softened onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add the paprika and chilli powder and mix well.
Drain the lentils in a sieve and press to squeeze away any excess moisture, then stir them into the onion and mushrooms. Take the pan off the heat.
Roughly pulse the well-drained kidney beans in a food processor – you want them bitey, not pulpy. Put these in a large bowl, then mix in the breadcrumbs, the lentil mixture and the beaten egg to combine. Use your hands to shape into six even-sized patties. Lightly dust the tops of the burgers with cornflour.
Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in large frying pan over a medium to high heat. Cook as many burgers as will fit in the pan for 5 minutes, floured side down. Lightly dust the other side with cornflour before turning the burgers over and cooking for a further 5 minutes.
Serve in lightly toasted buns or baps. I suggest serving them with coleslaw, lettuce and ketchup too.
Enjoy!
‘Til next time, Sheila.
