Sweet Potato & Chickpea Burgers

Hallelujah, we are back! Transferring domains was rough stuff. Who knew it took 5-7 days by law. Whatever, it's in the past and I am so, so glad it's all behind me now (fingers crossed). I love my new home here at Squarespace! Let me know how you guys like the setup. Do you like the photo slider or no? I'd love to hear feedback! 

And now, it's time for a bean recipe! As you know, it's my life's mission to incorporate more beans into my life...and what a way to do it. With a burger! A veggie burger that is. Oh yes, my friends. 

I've been on a real burger kick lately. It's funny because I was never really into burgers before becoming vegan. I have a sneaking suspicion why though...methinks 'twas the decaying animal flesh. Hey, don't kill the messenger...that is what it is...

Anyway, you have nothing to fear my animal-loving compadres. My burgers are 100% vegan! These sweet potato, chickpea, and white bean veggie burgers brown up perfectly on the stove and are ready in a pinch! Filled with nutritious (and delicious) veggies, oats, herbs, and spices...what's to shy away from? Take a break from the bun-animal-bun combo and go with bun-veggie-bun instead! Also, freeze any leftovers for use later as a quick and nutritious meal! I love having them on hand. 

Sweet Potato & Chickpea Burgers

Makes about 12 burgers

  • Flax Eggs:
  • 3 Tbsp. ground flax seed
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • Veggies:
  • 1 large sweet potato, sliced and steamed
  • 1 15 oz. can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 oz. can of white beans, drained and rinsed
  • Aromatics:
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red onion, diced
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. Italian herb seasoning
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. ground paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1/8-1/4 tsp. chipotle chili powder or cayenne pepper
  • Conclusion:
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats, dry
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 12 hamburger buns

Notes: If you have a large food processor (10 cup or larger), you might be able to fit all the ingredients into the bowl at once to process. I had to do mine in batches of different ingredients. I cooked up 12 patties and froze the leftovers in saran-wrap separately, then in a large plastic ziplock bag for later! These burgers probably do best on the stovetop as opposed to grilling. Adapted from Peas And Crayons.

Start by whisking the ground flax seed and the water together in a small bowl. Place in the fridge until ready for use. 

Steam the sliced sweet potato for about 10 minutes, until fork tender. Remove and set aside. Drain and rinse the chickpeas and white beans and set aside. 

In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium-low. Add the aromatic ingredients and saute until fragrant and the bell pepper is browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, in a food processor pulse the dry oats until they are a bit finer in consistency. They don't need to be ground to a flour though. Transfer to a very large bowl. 

Now, pulse the chickpeas and white beans until they are mashed, scraping down the sides as necessary. They don't need to be perfectly processed.

When the aromatics are done sauteing, add them to the processor along with the sweet potatoes and pulse as well. Transfer the mixture to the bowl with the oats. 

Add the flax egg and the fresh parsley to the bowl and mix very well, with exceptionally clean hands. It's really the only way to do it. Place in the fridge to rest for 30 minutes. 

After the mixture has rested, heat 1 Tbsp. of olive oil in the large frying pan over medium. Form a veggie patty with your hands that's about the size of your palm. These won't shrink at all when cooked so form them exactly as you'd like them to be on your burger. Cook about 3 minutes on each side and repeat with remaining patties. 

Serve hot on a hamburger bun with BBQ sauce or ketchup and arugula or spinach.

Cook as many as you'd like to fit in one pan. My pan held four at a time. I cooked the leftover patties and then froze them to use later!

"Mom! Dad! I will do ANYTHING for one of those burgers!!"

"Mom! Dad! I will do ANYTHING for one of those burgers!!"

German Word of The Day

Concert --> Konzert (pronounced: con-zairt) - Go figure! Germans spell things to neatly. 

Good Deed of The Day:

I know this is kind of a different action to have today, but my hope is that it brings awareness of the living conditions to meat-eaters. The fact that most animals need to be pumped full of antibiotics to even live and make it your a plate I hope be a little more noticeable when it's stamped on the goddamn package. Who knows. Maybe we'll all choose to not eat meat at all! We certainly don't need it! Sign this petition to have the USDA label animal flesh that has been treated with antibiotics.