Bean and Quinoa Koftas or Burgers

These are a lovely meat substitute and are jammed full of bold flavour. The kidney beans make them look like they are a meaty little bite. They are made in a food processor, left to set in the fridge and then quickly fried like a falafel or kofta. I personally think the key to making a good veggie burger is to bake it in the oven to sort of dry it out if your goal is for them to feel more like meat.You can serve on their own or with a salad, add to a wrap like a falafel or with some cucumber fries as a burger. Vegetarian or not we all can enjoy a meatless meal without feeling like something is missing.

You will need:

• 14 oz can of Kidney beans- rinsed 
• 3 cloves garlic
• handful of cilantro/coriander
• 1/2 onion
• 3-6 mushrooms
• 1 piece of butternut squash (unpeeled)
• 1/2 fresh chili pepper
• 1 tbsp chili jam
• 1 tsp curry spice blend
• 1 tsp zahtar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 slice bread crumbled or chopped
• 1/2 cup cooked quinoa (according to package directions)
• chopped pistachios or sesame seeds
• olive oil for cooking

optional serve with a drizzle of honey

Step 1: rinse a can of kidney beans under cold water to remove some of that slime and puree in a food processor to make a dry paste. Remove to a bowl.

Step 2: add garlic, cilantro, onion, mushrooms, butternut squash and red chili to processor. Puree  and remove to the bowl with the beans.

Step 3: add chili pepper jam, curry or garam masala mix, zahtar, salt, bread, cooked quinoa and mix to combine.

I have used a red sprouted quinoa just because it is dark and I want my patties and koftas to look like meat (so my meat eater husband will eat them and not feel deprived)

Step 4: to make little bites take 2 teaspoons and form a little ball or quenelle (football shape) Roll in chopped pistachios.

 or roll in sesame seeds.

Cook in olive oil and saute until cooked well on both sides. You can eat them at this point if they are the small shape however, I prefer to place them on a piece of parchment paper and place them in the oven at 350 degrees F for 30-45 minutes to get them set for a burger.

I served mine with cucumber fries and some spinach and chopped tomatoes. 

or with a bit of honey drizzled over them as an appetiser.