Almond Chipotle Burgers

Almonds have an exalted place among the "superfoods" foods that go beyond basic nutrition to help fight disease or improve health. Almonds provide a nutrient-dense source of vitamin E, manganese, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, fiber, riboflavin, monounsaturated fatty acids, and protein, and studies have shown that they reduce low-density lipoproteins (the bad, naughty, evil cholesterol often portrayed with a pencil-thin mustache and a black cloak, nyeh heh heh). Almonds have a low glycemic index and do not adversely impact insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, almonds can be an effective part of a weight loss strategy even though the nut is 50% fat by weight. According to a 2006 scientific review, "habitual almond consumption does not lead to weight gain, and their inclusion in low-calorie diets appears to promote more weight loss than a comparable carbohydrate-based low-calorie diet.” (Chen et al., Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 86(14), 2245-2250. Go look it up yourself.) Is it no wonder that the California almond industry had a total state impact of about $21.5 billion? This is some major wicked food stuffs. Like most of my recipes, this one came to me in a flash of inspiration and desperation. It is a good summer recipe that can be cooked on a charcoal grill or under a broiler. The recipe can also be made vegan by substituting 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed in 2.5 tablespoons of water for the egg.

Ingredients

• 2 cups almonds
• 1/2 small onion
• 1/2 green bell pepper
• 1 carrot, peeled
• 1 medium stick of celery
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 6 ounces tomato paste (1 small can)
• 1 egg (or 1 tablespoon flaxseed in 2.5 tablespoons water)
• 1–2 teasoons dried chipotle pepper, ground in a mortar and pestle
• salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven on the broiler setting. Grind the almonds, onion, bell pepper, carrot, and celery in a food processor. Mix in by hand the rolled oats, tomato paste, egg, and dried chipotle pepper. Add salt and pepper. Form the mixture into 10 burger-sized patties and cook under a broiler for 2–4 minutes per side.

This burger is best served on a bun with a slice of tomato. The cool of the tomato perfectly balances the spicy burger. Serves 10