Falafel Inspired Veggie Burger

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Happy Wednesday-Sunday, Belgium!  Yeah, it's Wednesday, but it's a holiday.  I could get used to this.... drinking coffee... morning blogging... and going to check out the Flower Carpet today in Brussels (which only happens every other year)!

Anyway, remember how I said I <3 L'As Du Fallafel ?  While taking the train to Paris on a Wednesday-Sunday afternoon is a possibility... it would make for one spendy falafel.  And I am a girl on a budget.  So I made a veggie burger inspired version of my own.  A little healthier & still some fun. 

Can't beat spending an afternoon on Rue de Rosiers in Paris Fallafel in hand...but a sunny afternoon on my terrace Falafel Inspired Veggie Burger in hand will also do.

Topped with cool creamy homemade Tzatziki sauce, it'll have ya sayin' mmmmm.  I love a good sauce especially when it's healthy.   Not only is the sauce healthy, the burgers are, too!  These healthy burgers are full of protein which we needed after our 5 hour hike the other day.

Start by making the yogurt sauce, which consists of plain yogurt, cucumber, garlic, some freshly chopped dill, white wine vinegar, and some salt and pep.  Let the flavors blend together in the fridge while you make your burgers (longer if possible).  The sauce is a must on these falafel inspired burgers.  

Mix the base (1 can chick peas, rinsed, blended with 2 eggs in a blender or food processor until slightly chunky) with shredded carrots, sliced scallions, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped hot pepper, lemon zest, fresh cilantro, sunflower seeds and spices.  Once mixed add bread crumbs & mix.  Let stand for 10 minutes before making your burgers.

Form into patties.  We made 5.  Heat your skillet with a little oil and fry 'em up on medium hear.  About 7-10 minutes for each side until browned.  You could also bake for a slightly healthier option.

Falafel Inspired Veggie Burgers

as adapted from Marin Mama Cooks

makes 5 veggie burgers

Ingredients:

1 can chick peas (or make your own)

2 eggs

2 scallions, chopped

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 carrot, shredded

1 small spicy pepper, chopped (optional: depending on your taste buds)

1 T lemon zest

2-3 T fresh cilantro, chopped

2 T sunflower seeds

3/4 t cumin 
1/4 t red pepper flakes

Salt and Pepper 

3/4 c whole wheat bread crumbs

1 T olive oil, for frying

For serving:

5 whole wheat pitas

1 red pepper, chopped

1/3 head of red cabbage, chopped

Tzatziki sauce (recipe follows)

Directions: 

Mix chick peas and egg in a blender or food processor and blend until slightly chunky.  Mix vegetables, seeds and spices to chick pea base.  Salt and Pepper.  Add bread crumbs.  Mix.  Let sit for 10 minutes before making patties.  Form your patties.  Heat a skillet to medium with olive oil.  Fry your burgers each side 7-10 minutes on the first side (or until browned, up the heat if you must).  Flip and brown the other side with the cover on for about 7 minutes.

Serve in a pita with red peppers and cabbage (perfect amount of crunch) and smother in Tzatziki sauce.

Tzatziki Sauce

Ingredients:

1 c plain yogurt (Greek preferred)

1/2-3/4 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped finely

1-2 T fresh dill (depending on your taste)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/2 t white wine vinegar

Directions:

Mix all ingredients and chill for one hour before serving.

Bon Appétit!

Also, good with creamy tzatziki on their own! 

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