I’ve been obsessed this summer with nut meat. It has such a silly, giggle-evoking name, but once you try some, those giggles stop. Nut meat has already slyly made an appearance in my Zucchini Bake recipe a few weeks ago, and since then I’ve been making a batch almost every week.
For the most part, I’ve been sprinkling it over greens or mixing it with grains, with the idea of making them into burgers in the back of my mind. Now is the time to make them. Rather than put these patties between two buns, I thought it would be fun to sandwich them between two ripe, thick-cut tomato slices (and we have been talking about tomatoes, so why not?). This burger is also perfect for vegans, vegetarians, or gluten-free eaters that want a grain-free patty. I added some creaminess and more good fats (the walnuts in the patty are also a good source omega-3 fats) with avocado slices. The end result is a refreshing and filling meal that captures summer in one perfect bite.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mushrooms
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1-2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp cayenne or chipotle
- 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax to 3 tbsp water)
- 1/2 bell pepper, diced
- avocado, sliced
- large tomato, sliced (2 slices per burger)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350.
In a food processor, grind sunflower seeds into a finer meal.
Add garlic, soy sauce, and spices and pulse 2-3 times.
Add walnuts and mushrooms and pulse until a crumb consistency forms. Transfer mixture to a bowl and add diced bell pepper and flax egg. Stir to combine.
With wet hands, form normal sized patties and place them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, then flip them, and make for another 10-15 minutes.
To assemble, place one large tomato slice on the bottom, add the burger patty, then the avocado slices and top with another tomato slice. Serve immediately.
Want more tomatoes? Read the other Nutrition DL posts about tomatoes here:
Nutrition DL: Tomatoes (breaking down the facts for you)
Greek Style Farro Salad