Foodie Fridays: Eggplant Burger

I've been playing around this week with some Paleo recipes. A paleo diet typically includes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds — foods that in the past could be obtained by hunting and gathering.

Now, my family and I are not declaring that we're adopting a Paleo diet - but I am aiming towards using less processed foods and more whole foods in my home and on our plates.

This means that I'm trying to limit buying bread and making it myself instead (thank you Josh for our Sourdough starter!), trying to grow our own veggies and fruits (what do I plant now for winter?), and choosing non-homogenised milk over the highly processed stuff.

So that said, here's a recipe I tweaked a little that came from the Paleo cookbook and made for my family last night.

Eggplant Burgers

What you'll need for the patties:

- 1/2kg mince of choice (we used lean beef, but you could substitute plant-based (this though, undoes the 'paleo' thing)

- 1 egg (our neighbour has hens)

- 1 red onion diced

- 1 large clove of garlic diced or crushed

- 1 tsp onion powder

- 1 handful of parsley chopped (I grow this)

- salt and pepper to taste

What you'll need for the guacamole:

- 2-3 small avocadoes or 1 large

- juice of 1 lime (fresh is best - the bottled are full of preservatives and additives)

- handful of coriander (optional, I forgot this time)

What you'll need for the bun + assembly:

- 1 eggplant

- olive oil

- tomato sliced

- several leaves of lettuce of choice (I used cos because that's what I had on hand)

- tomato sauce (I have a homemade one)

METHOD:

1. Preheat your oven to 200 degree Celsius. (You could also fry your patties, but I opted to bake them).

2. Mix the patty ingredients.*

3. Shape mince mixture into patties. I went for smaller than my palm; about 2-2.5 tablespoons worth in each.

4. If baking, place onto line baking tray and bake for 20-25mins turning over halfway. If you're frying them you can set them aside until you're ready. Then heat a little olive oil and fry patties for 3-4 minutes per side on medium heat.

5. While patties are baking, combine the guacamole ingredients, mashing lightly**. Set aside for assembly.

6. Prepare your eggplant rounds. Cut into 1cm thick circle slices. The eggplant will be your bun. Fry them in a tiny bit of olive oil*** . I added a tiny sprinkle of smoked paprika and salt while frying.

7. To assemble: place 1 slice of eggplant on the plate, top with tomato slices, torn lettuce, the patty, guacamole, and a little sauce. Then add a second slice of eggplant.

* And you can absolutely involve little hands in the squishing/mixing process. My daughter LOVED it.

** I like a chunky guac. But you can also use a food processor to get a smoother finish.

*** Eggplant soaks oil right up, so go easy!

Enjoy!

If you make it - please share it with me on Instagram @casualgraceblog OR via email.

N.