Veggie Burgers

Step 1

Preheat oven to 180C/350F (standard) or 160C/320F (fan/convection).

Step 2

Pile mushrooms on a baking tray. Drizzle over oil, toss, then spread on the tray.

Step 3

Spread beans on another tray, sprinkle carrots all over.

Step 4

Put beans on top shelf and mushrooms on the shelf underneath.

Step 5

Bake for 15 minutes or until surface of beans is dried out and splitting and they look thoroughly unappetising, and the carrots around the edge of the tray are a bit golden. (Note Remove tray with beans from oven.

Step 6

Move mushrooms to top shelf, bake for further 10 minutes until dried out and wrinkly. Remove from oven, cool.

Step 7

Place cashews in food processor. Blitz until they are breadcrumb size, don't blitz to powder.

Step 8

Add beans, mushrooms and carrot. Blitz on high for 10 seconds or until chopped to large crumb size (see video and photos).

Step 9

Add breadcrumbs, egg, parmesan, garlic, paprika, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Blitz for 15 - 30 seconds until it comes together like meat burger mixture but you can still see bits in it. (Note 6)

Step 10

Add rice and shallots, blitz for 2 seconds until just dispersed (over blitzed rice = gluey).

Step 11

Mixture should hold together well to form patties, but not stick to hands. If too wet, add breadcrumbs. If too crumbly, blitz more.

Step 12

Shape into 4 - 6 patties, between 1.5 - 1.8cm / 0.6 - 0.7" thick and 10cm / 4" wide (Note 7). Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 13

Cook burgers cold, straight from the fridge.

Step 14

Heat 2 - 3 tbsp olive oil skillet on the stove over medium to medium-high heat.

Step 15

Add 3 - 4 patties and cook until deep golden and crispy, 4 minutes. Carefully flip then cook the other side for 4 minutes until golden, then transfer to paper towel lined plate to drain.

Step 16

Cook cold, straight from fridge. Brush BBQ and Veggie patties with oil. Heat BBQ to medium high. Cook 4 minutes each side until a nice dark crust forms.

Step 17

Toast buns, spread top bun with relish or sauce of choice. Top with your choice of burger fillings and the Veggie Burger, then more sauce if desired.