Olive Food

Last week at Growing Eden, we broke out the barbecue and made some vegetarian friendly falafel burgers. Although these burgers are typically budget friendly, I splurged and purchased everything organic from Whole Foods.

I even got some beautiful heirloom tomatoes to complement these protein-packed patties.

Falafels are primarily made of chickpeas and are traditionally deep-fried. To make a healthier version, we grilled larger patties without any added oil.

Make sure the grill is super hot so the patties don’t stick!

These are not the type of burgers that you slather ketchup and mustard on!

Ahem.

We topped our burgers off with thick slices of heirloom tomatoes, quick-pickled red onions and a delicious feta yogurt sauce with garden fresh cilantro. Then served the burgers with a crisp cucumber, tomato and mint salad.

Our group LOVES saucy things, so I always try to include some kind of interesting condiment.

Next session be sure to see more greens on our plates and a little something from Latin America to warm up the rainy Spring days of Vancouver.

Falafel Burgers with Cilantro Feta Sauce & Pickled Red Onions

1                                  red onion, thinly sliced into rounds                               1

½ cup                                           white vinegar                                       125 ml

½ tsp                                                     salt                                                 2.5 ml

2 x 18oz cans         chickpeas, canned, washed and drained  2 x 540ml cans

½ cup                                      onion, red, chopped                                  125 ml

3 cloves                                         garlic, minced                                     3 cloves

1                                                    lemon, juiced                                                 1

1 tsp                                                    cumin                                                  5 ml

1 T                                                      olive oil                                              15 ml

2 T                                                        flour                                                 30 ml

½ cup                                        cilantro, chopped                                    125 ml

1 cup                                              yogurt, plain                                        250 ml

¼ cup                                         cilantro, chopped                                      60 ml

½                                                   lemon, juiced                                                ½

½ cup                                           feta, crumbled                                      125 ml

to taste                                          salt & pepper                                       to taste

6                                                           buns                                                        6

½ cup                                    tomatoes, sliced thinly                                125 ml

6 leaves                                              lettuce                                           6 leaves

1. To make the pickled onions, in a saucepan, bring vinegar and salt to a boil.
2. Pour mixture over red onions. Let cool and refrigerate for at least an hour.
3. In a blender or food processor, mix chickpeas, onion, garlic, lemon cumin and olive oil until chickpeas are mostly smooth.
4. Add flour if too wet, and add cilantro. Pulse to combine.
5. Form into 6 equal patties and refrigerate until use.
6. To make the sauce, in a small bowl, combine yogurt, cilantro, lemon juice, feta, salt and pepper.
7. On a hot grill, cook patties until golden brown, turning over once.
8. Assemble the burger with all the fixings and enjoy!

Makes 6 burgers.

Sine, E. (2013). Falafel Burgers with Cilantro Feta Sauce & Pickled Red Onions. Personal Recipe.