Nuts, Seeds & Stuff Burger [v.]

Psh, as if you are going to miss out on the best grill and chill day of the year? Yeah right. Fourth of July is around the corner, and you need a vegan burger. So okay, I am obsessed with Crazy Burger – a juice bar and cafe that specializes in vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Joe and I go here probably 99% of the time when we eat out, no joke. There is just nothing that compares to the food, atmosphere… everything. If you are ever in Rhode Island, JUST GO.

Anyways, so they have this burger called the Birdie Mae, which I have to get every. single. time. I thought it would be fun to try to mimic the flavor – so, I did. And holy shit, I’m impressive. I did swap some ingredients and add others, but overall, ON POINT. If you can’t make it to my little corner of the world, please for the love of all that is holy, make this burger. It is ABSOLUTE MAGIC. And… and… and… the best part? IT STICKS TOGETHER AND DOESN’T CRUMBLE! That alone makes it a top contender.

WARNING: THIS BURGER WILL NEED NO CONDIMENTS BECAUSE THE FLAVOR BURST IS LIKE WHOA. I mean, sure… add them if you want. Just sayin’, though.

Recipe

Make about 6-8 burgers, depending on size you choose.

You will need:

• 1/2 – 1 cup wild black rice, cooked according to package
• 1 large baked sweet potato
• 1/2 block tofu (or about 1 cup crumbled)
• 8 sun-dried tomatoes, soaked in warm water for 10 min
• 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup raw walnuts
• 6 fresh basil leaves
• 1-2 tbs fresh rosemary
• 2 tbs ground flaxseed
• Salt and pepper, to taste

To make:

• First, cook rice according to package and bake your sweet potato.
• While rice and potato are in the works, add tofu, sun-dried tomatoes, sunflower seeds, walnuts, basil leaves, and rosemary to food processor. Blend until well combined. Chunks from the nuts and seeds are okay – good for texture!
• Add mix to a bowl, dumping in your wild rice and the inside of your sweet potato.
• Sprinkle in ground flaxseed, salt, and pepper – using your hands, combine all three parts. The mix should be pretty sticky (and stick together well), so if it isn’t, just sprinkle in more flaxseed.
• Using your hands, make patties and refrigerate for 30 min.
• Grill as you would and store any leftovers in the freezer – they keep well in a tight ziplock bag.

I promise you – the flavor is incredible. So much going on, but it works SO SO WELL! Don’t be afraid to toss in extra nuts and seeds if you like the crunchiness, too. Crazy Burger always serves theirs in a tomato wrap, but use whatever you’d like. I used a classic bun, but I think I enjoy the wrap more. Okay, now go get your grill on (or just the stove top, in my case!) xx bianca