I was craving for some fast food which could be a burger, pizza or anything fried for that matter today. Is it Sunday, that body also wants to be spoiled itself. Or, this could be because, I had been eating out less lately, that my cravings were getting stronger. Umm, not sure. But thanks to the new house help who’s started cooking for me from past couple of weeks. And there aren’t many good options to eat out near workplace. So that leaves me all to the simple and balanced home cooked meals, which would any day consist of a curry, some chapatis and some daal with loads of fresh green salad. A ramped up physical fitness regime {have started walking for almost over 10 Km daily and sometimes swimming too} in the morning clubbed with this light Indian meal makes me feel rejuvenated and better throughout the day. Anyhow, the desires needed to be fulfilled and I had enough time to cook for myself today. Good for the house help too, that she got a day off. I settled down on these yummy vegetarian beetroot chickpea burgers which are super healthy and super delicious. The patties are so flavourful that you could eat them without needing anything else with them. I served these burgers with some wholewheat buns, some char grilled onion slices, fresh tomatoes, crumbled feta, salad leaves and a dollop of spicy mayonnaise. So mouthful are these and packed with so many good flavours all together. On the plus side, they are beautifully healthy too.
- 2 cup chickpeas, cooked
- 350 gm beetroot, cooked
- 1 cup breadcrumb
- 1 tsp garam masala spice mix
- 1/2 cup mashed potatoes
- 2-3 tbsp chickpea flour
- 1/2 cup chopped mint leaves, loosely packed
- 2 spring onions chopped, green stalks only
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 4 burger buns, halved
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tsp hot sauce (reduce if you like less hot)
- 1 onion cut into rings
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 tomato, cut into rings
- 4 tbsp crumbled feta
- mixed salad leaves
- For patties, coarsely grate beetroot in a bowl. Mash chickpeas thoroughly and mix with grated beetroot and all other ingredients for patties to make a smooth mixture. Roll into 4 patties. Chill for 30 minutes to let them firm up.
- Meanwhile, prepare spicy mayonnaise by mixing together mayonnaise, mustard sauce and hot sauce.
- In a non-stick frying pan with a lid, heat 1 tbsp cooking oil. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes or until charred and slightly tender. Remove cooked onion rings from pan using a slotted spoon.
- Add 1 tbsp oil and cook the patties on medium heat for about 8 minutes or until firm and golden, turning halfway.
- Top each patty with a cheese slice, cover the pan with lid and cook for one minute, until cheese is melted.
- Take burger bun halves and gently toast on a flat pan on medium heat for 2 minutes.
- To serve, spread mayonnaise evenly over bun bases, then top with patty, onion, tomato, salad leaves, feta and bun lid. Eat.
Super healthy and they look so inviting