Walnut Burger

This has to be my favourite veggie burger. We used to regularly eat these at this local cafe and enjoyed them so much we asked for the recipe. I've pimped it up a little since then by introducing smokiness and toastiness into the ingredients.

Ingredients
makes 6
for the burger
175g smoked cheddar cheese, grated
125g walnuts, finely chopped
75g wholemeal bread, sliced, toasted and crumbed
1 onion, finely chopped
1 egg
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp fresh thyme, leaves chopped
2 tsp smoked paprika
salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper

for frying
vegetable oil

for serving (suggestions)
Large tomato, sliced
salt
Spinach
Tzatziki (recipe)
Wholemeal bread rolls

Method
Mix together all the ingredients for the burger. Mash together with a fork, or even a potato masher.   Divide into six equal pieces and shape into patties about 1.5cm thick. (of course adjust as required by the size of your bread rolls; you could just make 5 or 4 larger burgers)

In a large frying pan heat some oil to a medium temperature and fry the burgers slowly on one side for about 5 minutes.  The base should have coloured and crisped without burning. Gently turn the burgers over. Be careful as they will be quite soft. Cook on the other side for further 5 minutes.

Heat the oven up to 160°C.  Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the burger on the tray as they are cooked. Keep warm in the oven for about 10 minutes to bake them further.

Serve in a wholemeal bread roll on top of some spinach leaves, slices of tomato, lightly salted. Then top the burger with some fresh tzatziki.