For this week’s new food, I reacquainted myself with my old culinary delights at The Cancer Project. I actually made this recipe for the first time while teaching a cooking class a few months ago (yes, bold!), but I made some short-cuts this time around. It’s modified from The Cancer Project’s Garbanzo Burgers. What I love about these veggie burgers is that they’re easy and cheap to make, they actually stick together, and they’re not made from manipulated soy isolates. Plus, they’ve got a kick-your-pants curry flavor, which is totally scrumptious!

Chica Chica Chickpea Burgers
Makes 6 4-inch patties

2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 small carrot, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 celery stalk, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 garlic clove, minced or pressed
1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander or cardamon
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adds spice, so optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup flour
3 tablespoons olive oil

Toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet until they begin to pop and become fragrant. Set aside in a mixing bowl.

Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic.

Chop beans in a food processor, using an on/off pulsing action, or by hand using a potato masher. Leave some chunks. Add to vegetable mixture, along with soy sauce, curry powder, cumin, coriander, cayenne, and salt. Mix thoroughly.

Stir in enough flour to form a stiff dough. Knead 30 seconds, then form into patties.

Heat oil in a skillet. Cook patties over medium heat until first side is lightly browned, then flip and cook second side until lightly browned, about 2 minutes on each side.

Serve on a bun with all the fixin’s or along with rice and a heaping side of veggies.

What the critics said:

Bitchin’ Dietitian: “Cold or Hot, These are soo good!!”
Bitchin’ Husband: “What’s in these? With some Frank’s hot sauce, they’re awesome!”
5-Year-Old: “I *think* they’re good. I just don’t have my taste buds back yet.” (Has a cold.)
3-Year-Old: “After 2 bites, can I be done?”
1-Year-Old: (if he could talk) “I can’t flick these the way I can Cheerios, so I guess I’ll eat one. And another!”

That looks like at least 4 stars to me. Another winner! What scratch burgers do you love?