Lamb and Chickpea Burgers with Grain Salad Recipe

If you’re in the mood for a burger but you’re trying to be healthy, give this healthy dinner recipe (opens in new tab) a try and you’ll not be disappointed.

The delicious mix of chickpeas, minced lamb and shallots with a healthy helping of herbs are so tasty, you’ll not miss the bun at all.

HOW TO MAKE LAMB AND CHICKPEA BURGERS WITH GRAIN SALAD

Ingredients

• 3tbsp sunfower oil
• 1 banana shallot, peeled and fnely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 400g can of chickpeas, rinsed
• 400g minced lamb
• 6tbsp chopped fresh coriander and flat-leaf parsley

For the salad:

• 250g pouch pre-cooked mixed grains (we used barley, wheat berries, spelt and rice)
• 85g prunes, soaked in hot tea for 10 minutes then finely chopped

½

• cucumber, deseeded and chopped
• 4 spring onions, finely sliced
• a large handful of mixed herbs, finely chopped
• juice of 1 lemon
• a drizzle of olive oil
• hummus, to serve
• chilli jam, to serve

Method

1. Heat 1tbsp sunflower oil in a frying pan over a medium heat, add the shallot and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, or until softened and slightly browned. Set aside to cool.
2. Using a food processor, pulse the chickpeas until finely chopped but not puréed. Remove to a large bowl, add the cooled shallot and garlic, lamb mince, herbs and lots of seasoning. Mix well, divide into 4 and shape into burgers.
3. In a large frying pan, heat 2tbsp of the sunfower oil and fry the burgers for 4-6 minutes on each side, or until browned and cooked through. Or brown them then finish cooking in a hot (200C, gas 6) oven.
4. For the salad, heat the grains according to the pack instructions, mix with the remaining ingredients and season well.
   
5. Serve the burgers with a dollop of houmous, a little chilli jam and the salad on the side.