Wild Rice Burger with Bacon and Cheese

• servings: 4 servings
• total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

3 cups cooked wild rice (from 1 cup uncooked rice)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons panko

1/4 cup seeded, untoasted, unsalted sunflower seeds

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon celery salt

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

3 eggs, beaten

Neutral oil, for cooking

4 slices American cheese

Mayonnaise

4 hamburger buns, lightly toasted

8 slices cooked, crispy bacon

4 butter lettuce leaves

Pickled Red Onions, recipe follows

Dijon mustard

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 1/2 cups thinly sliced red onion

Directions

To make the burgers: In a large mixing bowl, add the rice, Parmesan cheese, panko, sunflower seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, celery salt, kosher salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Add the eggs and use a fork to thoroughly incorporate. Divide the mixture into four patties.

In a cast-iron pan (or skillet) over medium heat, add just enough neutral oil to coat the bottom. Place the patties in the pan and cook for 3 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Top each burger with American cheese and allow to melt.

To assemble the burgers: Spread mayonnaise on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with a burger patty, 2 slices of bacon, 1 lettuce leaf and some pickled red onions. Spread Dijon mustard on the top bun and place it on the burger.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and 1/4 cup water. Heat, stirring, until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Pour the mixture over the red onions in a medium bowl and let sit for about 10 minutes. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

• Calories: 829
• Total Fat: 47g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Cholesterol: 184mg
• Sodium: 1202mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 67g
• Dietary Fiber: 6g
• Total Sugars: 10g
• Protein: 36g