We were lucky to be able to spend one last weekend with my wonderful parents before they headed back up north today. Mum, Dad, my Brother and his partner all came to stay and it was great to have everyone together with us in our little home. There is nothing quite like your family’s company, especially when shared around a table of good food.

For our Saturday lunch we whipped up some quick and simple curried chickpea burgers that went down a treat with the whole table, meat eaters included. This super simple vegetarian burger recipe makes a deliciously curried chickpea patty served up on a toasted turkish bun with a little mango chutney, aioli and lots of fresh salad; something a little bit spicy and a whole lot delicious.

The vegan chickpea burger patties are egg and dairy free, effortless to prepare and can be made ahead of time; perfect for a barbeque or casual entertaining. With the sweet fruity apple sauce and the warm curry spices these burger patties are full of delicious flavour and the wonderful texture of chickpeas. You really can’t beat a good homemade veggie burger and this delicious vegan recipe is a firm favourite in our household.

Preparation time: 25mins // Serves 6

Curried Chickpea Burger Patties

• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• 2 slices wholemeal bread, roughly torn
• 2 x 400g (14oz) tinned chickpeas, drained
• 1 tbs good quality curry powder
• 1 tsp madras curry pastes
• 1 tsp corn flour (cornstarch)
• 1 tbs apple sauce
• 2-3 tbs vegetable oil

Add the garlic and torn pieces of bread to a food processor and process until the bread forms fat breadcrumbs. Add the remaining ingredients except the oil and process until well combined, stopping to scrap down the sides frequently.

Once the ingredients are well combined add the vegetable oil slowly while the food processor is running until the chickpea mixture comes together easily.

Turn the mixture out into a bowl adding salt and pepper to taste. Form the chickpea mixture into 6 large or 8 medium patties.

The patties can be refrigerated for a couple of hours before cooking. To cook the patties fry in a large lightly oiled grill pan or frying pan or on the barbeque for a few minutes either side until golden, set aside on absorbent paper until you are ready to assemble your veggie burger.

Aioli(ish) Mayo

• 4 tbs vegan mayonnaise
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar

Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.

Curried Chickpea Burger

• Curried Chickpea Burger Patty (as prepared above)
• Turkish bread bun (or your favourite burger buns), lightly toasted in a low oven for 4-5 minutes
• fresh baby lettuce leaves
• mango chutney (or any fruit chutney you prefer)
• aioli or vegan aioli(ish) mayo as prepared above
• sliced tomato
• sliced red onion
• salad rocket (arugula) or alfalfa sprouts

Spread the bottom burger bun with aioli(ish) mayo or aioli, top with lettuce leaves, tomato, red onion and then the chickpea burger patties, add a good dollop of mango chutney and then a little rocket or alfalfa and the burger bun top and your ready to eat!! Devour happily!! Om num num nummmmmmmmmmm….