Meat-Lovers' Veggie Burger

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup instant rice white or brown
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
• 1 1/2 cups frozen vegetables
• 1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts toasted
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg slightly beaten

Steps:

• In a small saucepan
• combine rice and water Bring to a rolling boil Reduce heat to medium-low and cover Simmer until all the water is absorbed
• about 10 minutes Set aside
• In a large skillet
• heat 1 tablespoon of oil Add frozen veggies and cook for 1 minutes or so to soften This is also the stage where you would cook onions and garlic if you would like to add them
• Remove veggies to a large bowl Stir in rice
• oats
• walnuts
• cheese
• flour
• basil
• salt and pepper into vegetable mixture Add the egg and stir until starchy
• about 1 minute Make sure to beat the egg BEFORE adding to the other ingredients Otherwise your patties wont bind as well
• Using a 1/3 cup dry measure
• scoop and form mixture into 8 patties
• In the same large skillet you cooked the veggies
• heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat Cook patties in oil until browned on one side
• about 3 minutes Turn over and continue cooking until browned and cooked through
• about 2 minutes
• Serve however you like - I suggest inside of pita bread