Recipe: Smoky Chickpea Burgers

Smoky Chickpea Burgers
Source: Bean Harvest Cookbook by Ashley Miller

2 cups cooked chickpeas
2 eggs
3/4 cup grated smoked cheddar cheese
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated carrots
Pinch of ground red pepper
Salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 to 3 scallions, white and green parts, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander

In a food processor, combine chickpeas and eggs and process until pureed. Turn out the puree into a bowl and add the cheddar, pecans, breadcrumbs, carrots, red pepper, salt, black pepper, soy sauce, scallions, and coriander. Chill, covered, 2-3 hours.

When you're ready to cook the burgers, form the mixture into 6 patties.

If you're baking the burgers:
Preheat the oven to 350F and lightly oil a baking sheet. Place the patties on the sheet and bake 20 minutes.

If you're sauteing the burgers:
Heat a little oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, place the patties in the frying pan and saut 3-4 minutes on each side, or until a browned crust has formed.

Makes six 3 1/2-inch burgers