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Thai Quinoa Burgers

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My family and I love all Thai flavors – peanut, cilantro, lime, lemongrass, curry paste -- and we also love burgers, so I came up with a Thai-inspired burger recipe. I usually keep this one pretty mild in terms of spice, but if you want to add some heat you can always use chopped Thai chilies!
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 2/3 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 package tofu, (extra firm, cut into 1/2-inch slabs)
  • 1/2 cup panko or gluten-free panko
  • 1/2 cup scallion, (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 cup carrot, (coarsely grated)
  • 1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts, (finely chopped)
  • 1/4 cup red Thai curry paste
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, (chopped)
  • 2 teaspoons lime zest, (finely grated)
  • 2 teaspoons lemongrass, (finely grated)
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 flax eggs*
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil or oil of choice

Instructions

  • Combine quinoa and vegetable broth in a 1-quart saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Reduce heat to low, then cover and cook until broth is completely absorbed into quinoa (about 12 minutes).
  • Remove from heat and keep covered for 10 minutes, then transfer to a large bowl.
  • Meanwhile, layer paper towels on a large rimmed baking sheet, arranging tofu slabs about 1 inch apart, and top with another double layer of paper towels.
  • Place another baking sheet on top of the tofu and weigh it down with cans for about 10 minutes to press out excess moisture.
  • Crumble tofu into pea-size pieces and add cooked quinoa.
  • Mix in panko, scallion, carrot, peanuts, curry paste, cilantro, lime zest, and lemongrass.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Stir in flax eggs. (*To make a flax egg, mix well 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal and 2 1/2 tablespoons water and let it sit for 10 minutes.)
  • Chill mixture for at least 30 minutes.
  • Portion burger mixture into 8 balls, then form into 3-1/2-inch patties with moistened hands.
  • Heat canola oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat.
  • Add burgers to the pan, reducing heat to medium-low, and cook until browned on one side (about 3-4 minutes).
  • Gently flip with a thin spatula and cook until browned and heated through (about 3-4 minutes).

Bon appétit!