Thursday, May 27, 2010

Bean and Grain Burgers with Lemon Tahini


I relish a good hamburger as much as the next person. But with our cholesterol numbers haunting us, hubby and I find that more and more we're opting for more healthful vegetarian fare, like this bean and grain burger.  I've enjoyed this burger countless times at one of my favorite restaurants, Sammy T's, for years, but never realized I could have it any time I wanted- until I found the recipe here. It turns out that the burger I had been ordering because it was out of this world delicious, is also a good choice healthwise!


Another way to enjoy this meatless wonder? At Sammy T's it's called the Camper's Special. It's this same burger topped with hummus, sauteed mushrooms and onions, green peppers and tomatoes. It's wrapped in a grilled flour tortilla, covered with melted mozzarella and cheddar, and served with lemon tahini sauce. Try one. Or even two. The cows won't be offended.

Bean and Grain Burgers
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1tablespoon olive oil
1 (19 oz.) can garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed and ground or coarsely chopped
3 slices whole wheat bread, blended in food processor
1/4 cup sesame tahini
1/4 cup tamari or low sodium soy sauce
1 clove garlic, finely chopped or 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 cup cooked brown rice
1/3 cup raw wheat germ

Gently saute onions and garlic in olive oil until onions are slightly browned. Mix onions together with remainder of ingredients EXCEPT the wheat germ. Form mixture into 8-10 patties. Coat each patty in raw wheat germ and grill on a non-stick surface. Serve on a multi-grain roll with lemon tahini (recipe follows) and/or your favorite toppings.

*****Campers Special**** Top your Bean and Grain Burger with hummus, sauteed onions, green pepper, tomato and mushrooms. Wrap it in a grilled flour tortilla and top it with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Serve warm with lemon tahini dressing. Yum.

Lemon Tahini Dressing
1/2 cup sesame tahini
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
1 clove mild garlic
2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce or tamari (add more 1 tsp. at a time if mixture is not salty enough for your taste.)
Dash of Sriracha sauce or a pinch of cayenne
3/4 cup of water
Place first 6 ingredients (all except water) in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Add water gradually until desired consistency is reached. Keeps fresh refrigerated for 7-10 days. This sauce is best if made ahead of time (an hour or so) in order to allow the flavors to blend.



8 comments:

  1. It looks so good. I have trouble cooking any sort of vegetarian meal but this is definitely tempting me. I love it when you can find replicates of your favourite restaurant foods to make at home.

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  2. I already said it IRL, but these are good. you should make them again so I can eat two or three or four more without cooking them myself or paying for them. har har.

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  3. These really look wonderful and anything that looks that good must be good. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  4. there isn't really anything that can replace a true beef burger, but i like variety. also, i like unclogged arteries. that said, this is a great recipe--that tahini dressing is particularly appealing!

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  5. Beef is definitely still my friend. But I've been challenged to carve 40 points off of my cholesterol, so I've been trying to add more heart friendly meals to my repertoire. Thanks for visiting and leaving me a smile. :)

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  6. lemon tahini sauce sounds like a great idea. I am positively addicted to that nutty aroma of tahini, it's my "peanut butter". i eat it straight from teh jar with a bit of honey >< got to stop ....

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  7. Do these freeze well at all? I want to make these, but I'm the only vegetarian in my house - and I'd rather only do the work once for several meals!

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    1. I've never tried freezing them, but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work. It's worth a try anyway. If you do try it, let me know how it works! Even the non-vegetarians in my house love these though, especially when I do the Camper's Special with them. :)

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