Vegan Chickpea Quinoa Burgers

Ingredients:

• For the Burgers:
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa (about 1/3 cup dry)
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats (use gluten-free oats if needed)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water (flax egg)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• For Cooking:
  • 2-3 tbsp olive oil for frying
• Optional Toppings and Buns:
  • Burger buns (use gluten-free buns if needed)
  • Lettuce
  • Tomato slices
  • Avocado slices
  • Red onion slices
  • Vegan mayonnaise
  • Ketchup
  • Mustard

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Flax Egg:
   1. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water. Stir and let sit for about 5 minutes until it thickens.
2. Cook the Quinoa:
   1. If you haven’t already cooked the quinoa, rinse 1/3 cup dry quinoa under cold water. In a small saucepan, combine the quinoa with 2/3 cup water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes until the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for another 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let it cool.
3. Prepare the Burger Mixture:
   1. In a large mixing bowl, mash the chickpeas with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth, leaving some chunks for texture.
   2. Add the cooked quinoa, rolled oats, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, cilantro, and the flax egg to the bowl. Mix well.
   3. Stir in the soy sauce, olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, salt, and pepper. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined. If the mixture is too wet, add a bit more oats; if too dry, add a little water or olive oil.
4. Form the Patties:
   1. Divide the mixture into 6-8 portions, depending on your desired patty size. Shape each portion into a patty, pressing firmly to ensure they hold together.
5. Cook the Burgers:
   1. Heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
   2. Once the oil is hot, add the patties to the skillet. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Be careful when flipping the patties to keep them intact.
6. Assemble the Burgers:
   1. Toast the burger buns if desired.
   2. Place each patty on a bun and add your favorite toppings such as lettuce, tomato slices, avocado slices, red onion, vegan mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard.
7. Serve:
   • Serve the chickpea quinoa burgers with a side of fries, salad, or any other preferred side dish.