Beet, Rice and Goat Cheese Burgers

on Mar 27 in Recipes
By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN  New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/28/health/nutrition/beet-rice-and-goat-cheese-burgers.html

For some reason these pink burgers tasted better to me after they’d sat for a day in the refrigerator. So make them ahead for quick meals through the week and reheat in a medium oven or a frying pan.

2 cups cooked brown or white rice

1 cup finely diced or grated roasted beets

1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, like a mixture of parsley and dill

1 15-ounce can white beans, drained and rinsed

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 egg

2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

Salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or canola oil, as needed

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine the rice, beets and herbs in a large bowl.

2. Purée the beans with the lemon juice and egg in a food processor fitted with the steel blade or with a fork. Scrape into the bowl with the rice and beets. Add the goat cheese, salt and pepper, and mix the ingredients together.

3. Moisten your hands and form 6 patties.

4. Working in batches, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil at a time in a heavy ovenproof skillet and brown the patties on one side for 2 minutes. Turn over onto the other side and place in the oven for 10 minutes. Serve with or without buns, ketchup and the works.

Yield: 6 burgers.

Advance preparation: You can make these up to 3 days ahead, either through Step 3 or 4, and keep in the refrigerator. They can also be cooked ahead and reheated in a low oven or in a pan on top of the stove.

Nutritional information per serving (6 servings): 227 calories; 10 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 41 milligrams cholesterol; 29 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 238 milligrams sodium (does not include salt to taste); 10 grams protein

Martha Rose Shulman is the author of “The Very Best of Recipes for Health.”