Burgers don't always have to be "standard". Change it up a little - try these chickpea and quinoa burgers wth halloumi.
Hi everyone!
Just a little update to let you know I haven't disappeared completely. I've been on vacation and have just returned after three glorious weeks away.
My holiday included exploring parts of Brittany, Paris, Rome and ten days exploring Sicily.
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I did intend to blog whilst I was away but you know, it's sort of hard to sit in front of a computer when you have the sweeping cliff top views of Taormina staring right back at you!
Anyway, I'm back and I'm currently editing what feels like a million images. I'll be showcasing parts of my holiday in a blog post some time next week.
In the mean time let's get cooking with these tasty chickpea and quinoa burgers made with halloumi.
I don't think I've ever met a burger I didn't like.
It all started in Melbourne in my childhood years where I would head to the local fish and chip shop and order a "burger with the lot" as we say here in Australia. These burgers were nothing like the American burgers I would see being ordered on 70's shows like Happy Days or the Brady Bunch. It was usually a big white toasted flat bun spread with margarine. And in between that would be a grilled mince patty, lettuce, tomato and fried onions. And let's not forget the tomato sauce. Personally, I never really did do the beetroot thing.
But things are a little different now. Much different. As much as I adore making the Greek version of burgers a.k.a biftekia, I can't help but experiment with different ingredients and ideas. Changing the concept around can be fun.
In case you're interested I've have a number burger recipes on the blog which include salmon burgers, lamb burgers and even a portobello mushroom and halloumi burger. When I presented theses chickpea and quinoa burgers to a bunch of friends the other night for research purposes, I was met with the usual groans and moans about veggie burgers and cardboard.
But I had a secret weapon up my sleeve. Halloumi. It always makes things taste better!
I baked my patties in the oven, topped them with a piece of grilled halloumi, threw on some coriander relish and sandwiched it between a brioche bun. Admittedly, the patties did crumble a bit but it was nothing major.
Add your own salad ingredients (I used baby spinach leaves and coleslaw) top with your own sauce (a pesto would be great too) and say hello to a new type of burger.
📖 Recipe
Chickpea and Quinoa Burgers with Halloumi
Ingredients
- ¼ cup quinoa, dried
- 400 g chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoon flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon mint , finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon pomegrantae molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Burger condiments:
- halloumi slices, cooked and grilled
- brioche buns, toasted
- salad ingredients
- relish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180 deg C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Cook the dried quinoa according to package instructions and set aside.
- Combine the chickpeas, cumin, herbs, olive oil, molasses, egg and seasoning in a food processor and process until combined. Transfer this mixture to a bowl and add in the cooked quinoa and combine. Shape into six patties measuring approx. 8-9cm in diameter.
- Place the patties on the baking tray and cook for 30 mins. ensuring to turn them over halfway.
- Construct the burgers with your choice of salad on the bottom, followed by the chickpea and quinoa burger, grilled halloumi and relish.
Notes
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Souvlaki For the Soul
Rosa
Delicious! Those vegetarian burgers sound and look fantastic. I love halloumi.
Cheers,
Rosa
Aysegul
Welcome back Peter. This burger looks and sounds yummy! What a delicious idea to add halloumi...
Belinda@themoonblushbaker
Don't forget the Pineapple in summer! These look so tasty, I can not wait summer to hit in Aussie to have a full cook out.
What should I eat for breakfas
You made me think about burgers, I don't think I've ever had not a good one. Holiday sounds dreamy, I am glad to see you back and I hope you've enjoyed it like crazy.
Maureen Shaw
You forgot the bacon or pineapple or fried egg on the burger with the lot. My husband wouldn't eat a burger without an egg. 🙂 Me, on the other hand, I'd like your veggo burgers just fine.
Helen (grabyourfork)
I wasn't jealous of your holiday. Not. At. All.
AmandaChewTown
Halloumi does make everything better... except how insanely jealous I was about your holiday... halloumi won't fix that. Must arrange catch up SOON!
JJ - 84thand3rd
I do love a good veggie burger and halloumi does make everything delightful. Let's not talk about your trip, lest I start sobbing that I've yet to make it to Sicily ;D