Vegetarian Burgers (Buckwheat/Kasha)

Ingredients

• 1 cup buckwheat groats (kasha, whole granulation)
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 1/4 cups tomato juice
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 cups breadcrumbs
• 1/2 red pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup buckwheat groats, finely ground (kasha)

cucumber sauce

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 kirby cucumber, peeled and diced
• 1/2 teaspoon parsley
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. 1

   Put regular buckwheat in a dry saucepan and stir about 3 minutes until toasted.

2. 2

   Add broth, tomato juice, and oil, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for about 10 minutes (until all the liquid is absorbed). Cool.

3. 3

   In a bowl, combine bread crumbs, red bell pepper, onion, celery eggs and ketchup.

4. 4

   Stir in the cooled buckwheat (kasha).

5. 5

   Form mixture into patties. Coat on both sides with fine ground buckwheat/kasha (just put buckwheat/kasha in food processor and chop till fine). Chill for about a half hour in fridge.

6. 6

   Fry in non stick skillet in about 4 tablespoons of oil. Cook until crisp and golden, about 4 minutes each side.

7. 7

   Combine all the ingredients of the cucumber sauce.

8. 8

   Serve the patties with a slice of tomato and a dollop of the cucumber sauce.

9. 9

   Enjoy.