Veggie Burgers/Flaxseed Meal (food, protein, crumbs, animal)

[cy_flembeck]

Has anyone had success using Whole Ground Flaxseed Meal as a substitute for bread crumbs when making Veggie Burgers with either Garbanzos or Black Beans?

Do you add any water?

I do use one egg white.

Thanks.

[bongo]

I've made lentil burgers & black bean burgers with freshly ground flaxseed meal, whole wheat flour & wheat germ. I've made them both with & without eggs, no water. I fry them crispy in a little olive oil. I've never tried bread crumbs in my veggie burgers.

[Cattknap]

Flaxseed meal and water make up what is called a vegan egg - it becomes very gelantinous and thus helps to hold the mixture together.

[bongo]

Come to think of it, my cooked beans or cooked lentils have plenty of water, since some of the cooking water will get scooped with the legumes.

Sometimes I mix the legumes like above & then add left over cooked brown rice, millet, bulgar, quinoa, etc. that helps stick it together.

Have fun experimenting!

[Cliffie]

Yes, I wouldn't use the flaxseed in place of the bread crumbs but in place of the eggs. 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal + 2 Tbsps water = 1 egg. Depending on what you're fixing you can also use mashed potatoes as a binder, or tofu, or...

Jane Brody has a great mashed-potato-and-bean patty that is a little too fragile for eating on a bun but is a great side dish or -- if you have a big stack of them -- main dish. She used an egg to bind together red beans and mashed potatoes, then dipped the patties in parmesan cheese and fried them in a pan. I can't have the cheese but they are just as good with a sprinkle of black pepper. And they can be fried with a little cooking spray (or water on a nonstick surface) rather than regular pan-frying. Flaxseed works great in place of the egg. I have even heard of people frying flaxseed eggs, although they sound a little wispy and insubstabtial to me.

[piyf]

I've tried making them but with bread crumbs and it always comes out like baked refried beans. I wish I could get the texture like morning star veggie burgers but twice the size.

[arctic_gardener]

Would you not be able to mix in some vital wheat gluten to increase the binding ability? It would also add some extra protein.

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by arctic_gardener

Would you not be able to mix in some vital wheat gluten to increase the binding ability? It would also add some extra protein.

This seems like much the best suggestion to get a burger texture. Wheat gluten is the key ingredient of "wheat meat" which if made right is very hard to tell from animal muscle.

[bongo]

Originally Posted by arctic_gardener

Would you not be able to mix in some vital wheat gluten to increase the binding ability? It would also add some extra protein.

I've never heard of vital wheat gluten. I just use some whole wheat flour to bind.

[Cliffie]

You can buy a sack o' gluten right in the health food aisle, or in the Bob's Red Mill display at your grovcery store.