Curried Tofu Burgers

If you remember the heyday of Vegetarian Burgers, you will remember the ones made of Tofu. I always liked them in their various incarnations and decided to make some again for the first time in many years. I based this recipe loosely on the classic Moosewood Restaurant version, but I used Sunflower Seeds instead of walnuts and changed the seasoning. They turned out to be incredibly delicious and my son liked them so much that he wanted me to post the recipe.  They are really easy to make, the only thing that takes time is pressing the water out of the tofu and you can do that in 30 minutes at any time ahead of making them. Then, it's just a matter of using your food processor or doing some chopping, grating and mixing and then baking them in the oven.  You will be amazed at how tasty these Tofu Burgers are - you can serve them as is or put them onto a bun and dress them with mustard, ketchup, pickles and lettuce.  

Curried Tofu Burgers

1 carton of Firm Tofu in water, drained (mine was a 19 oz carton)

1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil

1 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup grated carrot

1/2 cup chopped red pepper

1 large garlic clove, minced

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

2  - 3 Tablespoons Tamari

1 Tablespoon Toasted Sesame Oil

1 teaspoon Salt

2 teaspoons Curry Powder (I used McCormick and Schmicks)

Fresh Ground Pepper

Pinch of Cayenne Pepper

Place the tofu on several paper towels on a plate or cutting board. Put more paper towels on top and place another plate or cutting board on top and then put a heavy pot or book on top of that to press the extra water out of the tofu. Leave for 30 minutes

Heat oven to 400 degrees and lightly grease a baking sheet.

Place Sunflower Seeds in the Cuisinart and grind until they are in very small pieces (or use a Mortar and Pestle to grind them.  Add in the Tofu, 2 Tablespoons of the Tamari, Sesame Oil, Salt, Pepper and Curry Powder.  Mix together and taste, adding more Tamari if desired.  

Heat a frying pan and put in the oil. Then add in the onion, carrot, red pepper and garlic. Cook until the onion is soft and the moisture that comes out of the vegetables is mostly gone - 4 to 5 minutes. Then add to the Tofu Mixture and blend together. 

Shape into 6 patties and put onto the baking sheet.  Drizzle oil over the top and cook for 30 minutes.  

Five Element Analysis

Tofu belongs to the Water and Metal Elements and the Onion, Garlic and Curry Powder add even more Meta. The Tamari and Sesame Oil add even more Water. The Carrots contribute the Earth Element and the Red Pepper and the tiny bit of Cayenne bring in the Fire Element. Only the Wood Element is missing, so serve on a Whole Wheat Bun or with a green vegetable or pickles to create a Five Element balance.