The ultimate veggie burger

Preparation time

less than 30 mins

Cooking time

10 to 30 mins

Serves

Serves 6

Dietary

Vegetarian

This quick and easy veggie burger recipe will tempt even the most carnivorous of meat eaters.

By Simon Rimmer
From Something for the Weekend

Ingredients

  • 3-4 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, peeled, thinly sliced
  • 250g/9oz firm tofu, finely chopped
  • 1 cooked beetroot(not in vinegar), peeled, grated
  • 150g/5½oz fried mushrooms, drained
  • 1 carrot, peeled, grated
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 garlicclove, peeled, crushed
  • 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tbsp chopped kidney beans
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

To serve

  • 6 burger buns
  • 6 tbsp ready-made mayonnaise(optional)
  • 3 beefsteak tomatoes, thickly sliced
  • 2-3 gherkins, sliced

Method

  1. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a pan over a medium-low heat and fry the onions for 15 minutes, stirring frequently, or until they are softened and golden-brown.

  2. In a bowl, mix together the cooked onions, tofu, beetroot, mushrooms, carrots, smoked paprika, garlic, thyme and kidney beans. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

  3. With damp hands, divide the mixture into approximately 150g/5oz portions and shape into patties.

  4. Heat the remaining olive oil in a frying pan and fry the patties for 3-4 minutes on both sides, or until golden-brown. Heat a griddle pan until smoking, then add the patties and fry for a further 1-2 minutes on both sides, or until there are deep char lines on both sides.

  5. To serve, place the patties into burger buns and arrange over the toppings of your choice.

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