Mollie Katzen-Inspired Potato and Broccoli Burgers
Updated Jan. 31, 2022

- Total Time
- About 50 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 2cups finely minced broccoli florets (about 6½ ounces, or 2 good-size crowns; see note)
- Salt to taste
- 1½pounds red potatoes, scrubbed and quartered
- ½cup chopped cilantro
- 2teaspoons toasted cumin seeds, lightly crushed in a mortar and pestle
- 2teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1teaspoon nigella seeds
- 1teaspoon garam masala
- ½teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼cup ricotta
- 1cup ground walnuts (about 3 ounces; pulse in a food processor until they resemble coarse bread crumbs, being careful not to grind to a paste; you will probably have some left over)
- ¼cup grape seed oil
Preparation
- Step 1
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Place broccoli in a strainer and dip into the boiling water for 1 minute, then remove. Rinse with cold water and shake out excess, then drain on paper towels.
- Step 2
Steam potatoes over 1 inch of boiling water until tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and mash with a fork. The skins will break up in the mash. Stir in broccoli and remaining ingredients except the ground walnuts and oil. Season generously with salt, combine well, taste and adjust seasonings.
- Step 3
Place ground walnuts in a wide bowl. Scoop out about ⅓ cup of burger mixture and form into a ball (you can moisten your hands to prevent sticking). Roll in the walnuts, then gently flatten into a patty. Place on a plate or sheet pan and continue to shape all of the patties. Refrigerate for 1 hour or longer.
- Step 4
When you’re ready to cook, place a rack over a sheet pan. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a 12-inch, heavy nonstick frying pan over high heat. Swirl pan to coat with the hot oil. Lower heat to medium. Place 4 to 5 patties in the pan (do not crowd), and cook until well browned on one side, about 4 minutes. Turn and brown for about 4 more minutes. Remove to the rack. Heat remaining oil in the pan and cook remaining patties. Keep patties warm in a low oven until ready to serve. Serve with a salad and your choice of toppings, such as the usual (ketchup, mustard, relish), or yogurt raita, garlic yogurt, or chutney.
- Note: For finely minced florets, cut very thin slices across the florets with a chef’s knife.
- Advance preparation: You can form the patties and keep them frigerated for up to 2 days, or cook them all the way through and keep them refrigerated for 2 or 3 days. Reheat on a baking sheet in a low oven for 10 to 15 minutes. The patties freeze well. Thaw completely before reheating.
Private Notes
Comments
Very tasty. I tried baking these instead of frying (400 degrees for 20 minutes) but the walnut coating didn't crisp up very well (although it was still good). I also tried coating the patties in whole wheat panko, and that crisped up very well in the oven, and tasted better than the walnut coating, in my opinion. What I like about this recipe is that you can use potatoes and broccoli that are not in peak shape, and the outcome is still delicious.
My husband and I enjoyed these burgers - flavorful and especially complemented by a small scoop of plain, full-fat Greek yogurt. I used celery seeds instead of nigella seeds, though the celery seeds added a slight bitterness to the dish - not necessarily unpleasant. The walnuts add a wonderful crispness to the finished patties. I cooked half and the other half kept in the 'frig for several days.
I generally don't mess with NYT recipes because I love them, but I'm a free-ranging cook. Lacking ricotta I went North African. I used "labne" (middle eastern thick yogurt), and "ras el hanout" (North African spice mix I make every year for holiday gifts https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/ras-el-hanout-moroccan-spice-mix-262189.) And just as recipe says, chilling the patties before frying is a must, so plan ahead.
Could you sub tofu ricotta? Husband is lactose intolerant and ricotta is killer.
I generally don't mess with NYT recipes because I love them, but I'm a free-ranging cook. Lacking ricotta I went North African. I used "labne" (middle eastern thick yogurt), and "ras el hanout" (North African spice mix I make every year for holiday gifts https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/ras-el-hanout-moroccan-spice-mix-262189.) And just as recipe says, chilling the patties before frying is a must, so plan ahead.
Very tasty. I tried baking these instead of frying (400 degrees for 20 minutes) but the walnut coating didn't crisp up very well (although it was still good). I also tried coating the patties in whole wheat panko, and that crisped up very well in the oven, and tasted better than the walnut coating, in my opinion. What I like about this recipe is that you can use potatoes and broccoli that are not in peak shape, and the outcome is still delicious.
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