Falafel Burgers

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 chili peppers or 1/2 jalapeno pepper, to taste
• 3/4 cup cooked chickpeas or 3/4 cup chickpeas
• 1/2 cup basmati rice or 1/2 cup other long-grain rice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• ground red pepper
• 2 pita bread
• shredded lettuce
• alfalfa sprout
• green pepper
• tahini mustard

Recipe

• 1 heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat until sizzling. cook the onion and garlic until the onion is wilted and the garlic is golden, about 8 minutes.
• 2 add the jalapeno, and stir several times.
• 3 remove from heat and allow to cool. next, place the lime juice, onion mixture, chickpeas and rice in the food processor. process until mixture becomes a smooth puree, stopping to scrape down the sides of the work bowl as needed.
• 4 transfer to a large bowl. add 1/2 of the bread crumbs. season to taste with salt, black pepper and red pepper. mix with a large spoon or your hands until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
• 5 start a grill or preheat the broiler. shape into 3-inch-round patties 1/2-inch thick, adding extra bread crumbs if the patties don't hold their shape. if broiling, place the patties of a broiler pan or cookie sheet lined with lightly oiled aluminum foil. grill or broil 3 to 5 inches from the heat for 5 to 10 minutes per side or until lightly browned. when one side is done, carefully turn. check often to prevent burning.
• 6 to serve, tuck 2 patties inside a warmed pita pocket along with the condiments of your choice.