Chickpea & Brown Rice Veggie Burger

Hope you all had a great weekend.  Anyone eat anything extra amazing during the Super Bowl?  Or have a favorite commercial?  Or actually watch the game and have something sports-like to say?  I liked the Chrysler commercial with Clint Eastwood cause I'm from Michigan and have a soft spot for Detroit.  Budweiser did some good ones too!  As far as the actual football... ah, who am I kidding.. let's get back to food. 

 I've been experimenting with meals minus meat lately, but hamburgers are a little tricky.  I love a great big cheeseburger, and it's tough to beat.  However, if you go into eating this meal with the knowledge it won't compare, it's really good.  Really good, and really good for you!  I love the fresh veggies, and the texture is crunchy and delicious.

Mash 2 cups of cooked and drained chickpeas with 1 cup cooked brown rice until a paste forms. 

Stir in the shallot, garlic clove and chopped parsley.

Season with salt and pepper and stir in 1 whisked egg.

Form into four 1/2 inch thick patties.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add patties and cook until golden brown on both sides.

Spread with toppings of your choice.  I used red onion, tomato, red pepper and spinach.  These didn't hold well together, it kind of ended up looking like a salad, but it's still super tasty.  I made this for lunch for a few days in a row and still was not tired of it.  It's surprisingly flavorful, and the fresh veggies leaving you feeling full and refreshed.  Enjoy!

Chickpea & Brown Rice Veggie Burger

Serves 4

Adapted from Whole Living

2 cups cooked chickpeas

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 shallot, minced

1 garlic clove, minced

2 tablespoons fresh parsley

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 egg, whisked

red onion

roasted red pepper

tomato

spinach

salt and pepper to taste

Mash the chickpeas and brown rice together until it's a thick paste.

Stir in the shallot, garlic clove, ad fresh parsley.

Season with salt and pepper.

Stir in whisked egg.

Form into 4 1/2 inch thick patties.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat.

Add patties and cook until golden brown on both sides.

Garnish with fresh veggies.