Recipe: Columbia Bar and Grill's Grain and Cheese Burgers (meatless, using brown rice and oats)

COLUMBIA BAR AND GRILL'S GRAIN AND CHEESE BURGERS

"Tracy McIntosh of Newport Beach led us to these veggie burgers of toasted rice, oats, and cheese. When the burgers were on the menu at the Columbia Bar and Grill in Hollywood, they were a favorite with vegetarian customers."

1 1/2 cups chopped mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1/2 cup regular rolled oats
1/2 cup cooked brown rice
1/3 cup each shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses (or all of 1 kind)
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons low-fat cottage or ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Salt and pepper (to taste)
FOR SERVING:
Toasted buns or bread
Mayonnaise, red onion rings, and lettuce

In a (10- to 12-inch) nonstick frying pan over medium heat, cook mushrooms and green onions in butter, stirring often, until vegetables are limp, about 6 minutes.

Add oats and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool slightly, then stir in cooked rice, mozzarella, cheddar, walnuts, cottage cheese, eggs, and parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste. On an oiled 12- by 15-inch baking sheet, shape into 4 patties, each 1/2 inch thick.

Broil 3 inches from heat until deep golden, turning once, 6 to 7 minutes total.

Serve on bread with mayonnaise, onion, and lettuce.

Makes 4 burgers
Source: Sunset magazine, January 1994