Serves4
- Active time:20 min
- Start to finish:1 hr
June 2008
Most veggie burgers must have self-esteem issues, since they’re always pretending to be something they’re not. But these bulgur burgers don’t try to hide their meatless nature and instead celebrate their grain-centric origins with wonderful texture and a hint of Middle Eastern spice.
-
1/2
cup
chopped onion, divided
-
1
tablespoon
olive oil plus additional for brushing
-
1/2
cup
bulgur
-
1
cup
water
-
1
cup
canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
-
1 1/2
tablespoons
soy sauce
-
3/4
cup
walnuts (2 1/2 oz)
-
2
garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
-
1/2
cup
packed cilantro sprigs
-
3/4
teaspoon
ground cumin
-
1/4
teaspoon
cayenne
-
1/4
cup
mayonnaise
-
1/4
teaspoon
grated lime zest
-
1/2
teaspoon
fresh lime juice
-
4
slices multi-grain bread, toasted
-
Equipment:
a perforated grill sheet
-
Accompaniments:
lettuce; sliced tomato
-
Cook half of onion with 1/4 tsp salt in oil in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Add bulgur and water and cook, covered, over low heat until water is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and stir in beans and soy sauce.
-
Pulse bulgur mixture, walnuts, garlic, cilantro, cumin, cayenne, a rounded 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and remaining onion in a food processor until finely chopped.
-
Form rounded 1/2 cups of mixture into 4 (31/2-inch-diameter) patties. Chill at least 10 minutes.
-
While patties chill, stir together mayonnaise, zest, and juice.
-
Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas); see “
Grilling Procedure.” Put perforated grill sheet on grill and preheat 10 minutes.
-
Brush patties all over with oil.
-
Oil grill sheet, then grill burgers on grill sheet, covered only if using a gas grill, carefully turning once, until golden brown, about 8 minutes total.
-
Serve burgers open-faced on toast with lime mayonnaise.
Cooks’ notes: - Burgers can be cooked on the stove. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook patties, carefully turning once, until golden brown, about 8 minutes total.
- Uncooked patties can be chilled, covered, up to 4 hours.