Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Chickpea Burger with Israeli Salad

Chickpea Burger with Israeli Salad

For the past few days I've had the biggest craving for some Middle Eastern food. Hummus, falafel, tahini...I love them all. Chickpea burgers combine a lot of those flavors and are wonderful, versatile foods. Apart from the basic ingredients, you can customize them by adding in whatever you have on hand. Grated carrot, zucchini, peppers or mushrooms would all be great. The chickpeas are also loaded with protein and fiber and I just love it when healthy food is so delicious.

Chickpea Burger with Israeli Salad
This time I went with a basic chickpea burger and some traditional Middle Eastern flavors. I used cumin in the patties and topped them with a classic Israeli salad which added so much freshness. But another huge personal favorite is curry powder in the burgers and a cucumber yogurt sauce on top. Delicious. Enjoy!







Ingredients

Chickpea Burgers:
1 Can (approx. 15 oz.) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
2 Tablespoons tahini sauce *
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/4 Cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
2 Tablespoons chopped red onion
1 Tablespoon scallions or chives, chopped
1/4 Teaspoon cumin (or other seasoning)
1/4 Teaspoon salt
1/4 Teaspoon pepper
1/4 Teaspoon garlic powder

Israeli Salad:
1/2 Seedless (hothouse) cucumber, diced
1 Small tomato, diced
1/4 Red onion, diced
1 Tablespoon parsley
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Teaspoon lemon juice
Salt & pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl and toss to combine.

Chickpea Burger with Israeli Salad
Place the chickpeas in a shallow bowl and mash with a potato masher or fork. It's OK to leave it slightly lumpy and textured. Add the tahini sauce, olive oil, breadcrumbs, onion, herbs and seasonings and mix to combine. Form into patties and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a pre-heated 400 degree oven for 20 minutes, flip and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes.

You can make the burgers any size you like but I opted to make 2 hearty burgers from this mixture. Top with the salad or serve it as a side dish.

*  You can use prepared tahini sauce but I highly recommend making your own from this quick and simple recipe.

7 comments:

  1. I'm so excited to try this! I had a chickpea burger for the first time recently and loved it!

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  2. I've never heard of a chickpea burger and will enjoy trying it. I've had the salad many times but we call it by a different name and I would have never thought to have it on a burger. I'm trying this the next time we grill burgers - I think it will be great!

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  3. I keep saying that I'm going to try chickpea patties or burgers but I never seem to get around to it ... This looks pretty good so I may have to drop everything & get in the kitchen :-)

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  4. Gosh, I just realized I have not been eating chickpeas much these days. I need to change that with this recipe. Yum!

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  5. I fell in love with this burger at first sight. I love everyting about it. Yum!

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  6. Hello! I stumbled upon your blog as I was exploring some of the blogs my own blog's readers follow, and I just loved this post. This sandwich looks amazing, I think my readers would really love the recipe, too! I'd like to invite you to participate in my blog's link-up party to celebrate the end of National Nutrition Month - feel free to check it out and share one of the delicious, healthy recipes you've been enjoying this past month! http://bit.ly/YCpeHq

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  7. Yum. Great idea for summer grilling!

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