Yes, it’s meat-free but even avowed carnivores will enjoy this flavour-packed burger. Don’t skimp on the herbs and spices, and I love it with lashings of crushed avocado too.
INGREDIENTS
Burgers
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 medium beetroot, peeled
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1½ teaspoons Moroccan spice mix (I used Jonathan’s Spices)
2 x 400 gram tins chickpeas, drained and rinsed
¼ cup packed mint leaves, finely chopped
finely grated zest 1 lemon
½ cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 egg
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
To assemble
4 large hamburger buns, toasted or grilled
mayonnaise
any of the following toppings: lettuce, avocado, grated raw yellow beetroot or carrots, alfalfa sprouts, snow pea shoots, tomato, feta, fried egg
METHOD
Burgers: Heat the oil in a sauté pan and cook the onion for 4 minutes. Grate the beetroot on the coarse side of a box grater. Add the beetroot, garlic, cumin and Moroccan spice mix with a good pinch of salt to the onion and cook for 5 minutes, turning often. Cool.
Put the cooled onion mixture into a food processor with all the remaining ingredients. Season generously and pulse until well combined but still retaining a little texture.
Divide into 4 patties the same size as the buns and chill for 30 minutes to firm up. The patties can be made 2 days ahead.
To assemble: Heat a little olive oil in a sauté pan and cook the burgers for 3 minutes each side. Spread the warm buns with mayonnaise then top with the patties. Add the toppings of your choice and serve immediately. Makes 4
Keep up to date with
dish weekly recipes,
food news, and events.
latest issue:
Issue 128
This winter issue of dish is about comfort and connection. Celebrating the best of New Zealand and Australian produce, it brings together recipes from some of our most-loved chefs, including Moroccan Chicken Soup, Mint-glazed Roasted Leg of Lamb, Slow Cooker Braised Red Wine and Miso White Chocolate Cheesecake. Find plenty to carry you through the colder months, from flaky sausage rolls and mushroom pie, to soul-soothing pasta, nostalgic baking, weekend market inspiration and dinner party menus. There’s a spotlight on the Outstanding Food Producer Awards, recipes from Caroline Griffiths’ Midnight Spaghetti, and a deep dive into the difference between Kiwi syrah and Aussie shiraz.







