Kurma

Seems like we're on a fast food theme this week.

Bravenan Varathanathan from Southampton, U.K. asks:

Could you tell me how to make veggie burgers? Bravenan.

My reply:

Here's a recipe from my book 'Quick Vegetarian Dishes':

Vegie Burgers "With the Lot"

I was searching far and wide for a quick vegie burger recipe, and found a great one, quite by chance, on an Internet cooking seminar for kids. Here it is, slightly improved, courtesy of Jayasri Devi of Crescent City, California. Makes 16 burgers.

2 cups fine oatmeal
2 teaspoons Italian mixed herbs
1 teaspoon yellow asafetida powder
1½ cups boiling water
½ cup peanut butter
½ cup very well-cooked chickpeas, mashed
2 cups dry breadcrumbs
5 tablespoons quality tamari or soy sauce
1½ teaspoon salt
½ cup very finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons tomato paste
¼ cup finely chopped parsley
oil for pan-frying
burger buns and all the trimmings of your choice

Mix together the oatmeal, herbs and asafetida in a bowl and pour on the boiling water. Mix well and set aside for 5 minutes.

Fold in all the other ingredients thoroughly, and knead the mixture until very well amalgamated.

Scoop up quantities of mix using a ½-cup measuring cup, pack and press the ½ cup full, then shake or tap the cup to remove the thick burger patty. Gently press and form it into a larger, smooth burger patty, and proceed on with the rest of the mixture. Heat oil in a frying pan.

Pan fry the burgers, a batch at a time, until dark golden brown on each side. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Serve on buns with all your favourite 'fixins'.