Savory Nut Burgers

This is based on a recipe from 15 Minute Gourmet Vegetarian by Paulette Mitchell. I *love* her book. Even though with chopping time the recipes take more than 15 minutes most of the time, it's still chock full of great info and ideas. I'll put up my chili recipe at some point, which is also based on one out of this.

Ingredients:

raw or toasted walnuts
wheat germ
small curd cottage cheese
onion
fresh garlic
parsley
soy sauce
eggs
pepper

*Why no specific amounts? Because every time I make these "off the cuff," they are better than the recipe. Play around with the amounts! Add cashews! Go crazy!

1. Put the chopped onion, garlic, parsley and soy sauce into a food processor. Process until of an even consistency. Empty processor bowl into medium bowl.
2. Into the processor put about 3/4 of the walnuts. Process for 15-25 seconds. Add in the rest of the nuts and process an additional 10 seconds. (This will give the finished product more texture.) Add to the onion and herb mixture.
3. Stir together and add wheat germ, cottage cheese and pepper. (You should taste it at this point to see what kind of flavor you have going. Maybe you want more onion or garlic...) It should be crumbly, like coffee cake topping. It shouldn't hold itself together at this point.
4. After it is flavored how you would like, add in the eggs, one at a time. I recommend beating them first.If you add too many and the mixture is too moist to hold together, add some more wheat germ.
5. To cook the mixture as burgers, just form patties about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch thick, heat up a little oil in a pan and cook on the stove. (Don't cook these on a grill, they sometimes fall apart...) They only take a few minutes on each side.

*Another note: I've altered this recipe to make "meat"balls (or, nutballs, if you prefer) and also spiced it sausage style for breakfast burritos. It's pretty versatile and satisfying to most everybody.