Grain Burgers

Total Time: 21 mins Preparation Time: 6 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon pure chile powder
• 1 1/2 cups canned garbanzo beans or 1 1/2 cups canned chickpeas, 15 1/2-oz can drained
• 1 cup cooked brown rice or 1 cup cooked rice
• 1/3 cup wheat germ
• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 4 scallions, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup wheat germ
• 4 pita breads or 4 hamburger buns
• 4 slices tomatoes (optional)
• 4 lettuce leaves (optional) or 4 spinach leaves (optional)

Recipe

• 1 toast seeds and spices:.
• 2 toast the sesame seeds for 2 minutes in a hot skillet, taking care not to burn them.
• 3 add the coriander, cumin, and chile powder and cook for 10 seconds longer, so that all spices are aromatic. turn onto a plate to cool.
• 4 prepare bean mixture:.
• 5 in a large bowl, mash the beans with a potato masher or fork, then add the rice and 1/3 cup wheat germ.
• 6 prepare scallions and garlic:.
• 7 in a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium heat, and add the scallions, garlic, and toasted spices.
• 8 cook until softened, then remove from heat and add to the mashed bean mixture.
• 9 prepare burgers:.
• 10 add salt and pepper to the mashed bean mixture, and mix well with hands.
• 11 shape into four 3/4-inch thick patties.
• 12 pour remaining 1/3 cup wheat germ on a plate, and press patties in it, coating both sides.
• 13 grill, broil, or saute patties for about 3 minutes per side, or until nicely golden.
• 14 serve burgers on pita breads, or buns, topped with tomato slices and lettuce or spinach leaves.