Sunflower Seed and Brown Rice Veggie Burger

I've always had a fondness for Veggies Burgers (except when they contain Cheese) and I had one particular favorite - Sunshine Garden Burgers. I've been ordering them during the lockdown from my local Health Food Store, but in the last order, they were out. I thought maybe I could replicate them and I did!  I'm quite happy with the results so I may not be ordering them much anymore. I checked the website for the ingredients of their Veggie Burgers and I had the ingredients except for Chives, so I replaced them with Onions and I think I might even like them better. I made the Brown in a regular Rice Cooker which takes a long time, but you could also easily cook the Rice in an Instant Pot in about 20 minutes. If you use freshly cooked Rice, the extra Water may not be needed. But if you use Rice that has been stored in the refrigerator, you will probably need to use the extra Water since refrigerating Rice dries it up. Other than that, you just process it all in a food processor and it takes no time at all to come together.

I don't bother putting them in a bun as I like to eat them straight out of the oven or out of the pan and I don't even use any condiments  Both cooking methods work but the oven method makes them a bit drier and gives them a more even crispiness, while the pan fried method keeps the burger much softer with a harder, crisper crust. I did cook them both ways, just to test it out. And, personally prefer the oven method. I'm so happy with these Veggie Burgers!

Sunflower Seed and Brown Rice Veggie Burger

1 cup Raw Sunflower Seeds

1 cup cooked Brown Rice

3/4 cup of chopped Carrots

½ cup chopped Celery

½ cup chopped shallot or Onion (if using Chives use ¼ cup less)

1 teaspoon Salt or Seasoned Salt

1 – 2 Tablespoons Water if needed

4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil divided

Optional:  1/4 cup minced Chives

Turn the oven to 375 degrees

Process the Sunflower Seeds into a meal in the food processor. Then add in the Brown Rice, the Carrots, Celery, Onion and Salt.  Pulse until the mixture is fairly smooth. Check the texture. It should be a bit soft but sticks together when you try to make a ball. If it is too dry, add in 1 Tablespoon of Water, stir and check again. Add the additional Tablespoon of Water if necessary.

Drizzle a baking sheet with 2 Tablespoon of Vegetable Oil. Using a 3 - 3 1/2 inch Ring mold, fill the ring mold to make 6 Veggie Burgers.  Brush the tops with the remaining Vegetable Oil and place in the oven.

Cook for 15 minutes and turn over. Cook for an additional 15 minutes. Serve with the condiments of your choice and in a bun if you want.

Or pan fry one or two at a time on medium high heat for about 5 - 6 minutes per side.

You can also freeze them, but place parchment on the baking sheet (don’t use the oil). When they are frozen solid, you can place them into freezer storage bags.  When you want to cook them, follow the directions above, but cook for another few 3 - 5 minutes.  

Five Element Analysis

White Rice belongs to the Metal Element, but Brown Rice adds in the Earth There is more Earth added from the Carrots. The Sunflower Seeds contribute the Water Element and the Onion brings in the Metal Element. The Celery makes sure that the Metal Element is also present. It’s a pretty balanced little Veggie Burger. Only Fire is missing, which can easily be added by serving this Veggie Burger with a side salad or a glass of Iced Tea.