ABOUT THE RECIPE:
For years I tried and tried to come up with an easy way to make a great-tasting burger substitute. When paired with a whole-grain bun, this Mushroom-Nut Burger recipe has a hearty texture and robust taste that stands in magnificently for the meat-based version.
Makes 4 Burgers
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups lightly packed fresh, soft whole-grain bread crumbs (see note)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups chopped mushrooms
1/3 cup diced onion
1 teaspoon tamari or additonal 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a medium baking pan with unbleached parchment paper.
Put the bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt in a large bowl. Put the walnuts in a blender and process in pulses until they resemble coarsely ground flour. Add the walnuts to the bread crumbs and stir gently to incorporate. Put the mushrooms, onion, and tamari in a blender and process to a chunky purée. Add the mushroom mixture to the walnut/bread crumb mixture and stir to incorporate.
Place a 3-inch cookie cutter ring on the parchment. Pack one-quarter of the mushroom/bread crumb mixture into the ring and press it firmly and evenly into the ring to form a “burger.” Gently remove the ring. Repeat with the remaining mushroom/bread crumb mixture. (Alternately, form each burger with clean hands.)
Flatten each burger slightly with the back of a flat spatula. Bake for 18 minutes. Flip each burger, and bake for an additional 15 to 25 minutes or until the burgers are slightly crisp and golden.
Serve on toasted whole-grain buns, topped with lettuce, tomato, sweet onion, mustard, and catsup. These burgers are delightful served with Confetti Oven Fries and Jazzy Purple Coleslaw on the side. Or serve the burgers plain with a crisp green salad.
NOTE: To make fresh bread crumbs, put 3 to 4 large slices of whole-grain bread in a blender or food processor and process into coarse crumbs. To make gluten-free bread crumbs, use your favorite gluten-free bread in place of the whole-grain bread.