38 - Millet Burger with Chive Pesto
Millet Burgers with Chive Pesto
Delia Quigley, July 1, 2009, Source
The ancient Chinese created the Five Elements, fire, earth, metal, water, and wood, to explain the interconnectedness of all life. When used to balance ones diet and for healing purposes these elements provide insight to the workings of the internal organs, the body parts, one’s emotions and surrounding environment. Understanding the elements can be a language of sorts, one that can explain the meaning of specific symptoms before they degenerate into full-blown dis-ease. I suggest you read Paul Pitchford’s book, Healing With Whole Foods, for a more comprehensive view of the elements.
In regards to food preparation let’s consider Fire element as it corresponds to the months of summer. Fire element governs the heart and small intestine, and the bitter taste of fresh greens strengthens these organs. Late summer brings Earth element into play, which governs the stomach and spleen. The taste for earth is sweet as found in whole grains, vegetables and fruit. With the days hot and damp I wanted to prepare something light, appetizing, pleasurable to the taste and balancing to the governing summer elements. With this in mind I used the sweet taste of millet to create vegetarian burgers and topped them with the pungent bitter taste of chive pesto.
Millet is a gluten free seed with the consistency of cooked grain. It is easy to digest, supports stomach and spleen, is beneficial to the kidneys and helps to create an alkaline condition where there is to much acid. I like to make millet mashed potatoes from the recipe below and serve with sautéed vegetables and lentils. The next day I mold the remains into millet burgers and serve with the pesto surrounded by lightly sautéed vegetables and a green salad to complete the meal.
Millet Burgers w/ Spinach Pesto
Makes 6-8 burgers (good to freeze)
Make sure to soak millet, as you do your other grains, for 8-12 hours before cooking. This helps to remove the phytic acid and make it more digestible.
1 cup millet, washed and soaked 8-12 hours, drained
3 cups water
1/2 tsp. sea salt
2 cups cauliflower florets
2 tbs. butter or sesame butter
1 egg (optional)
sesame seeds
1. In a medium saucepan combine the millet, water, salt, and cauliflower. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook until all water is absorbed, about 30 minutes.
2. When done add the butter, stirring well.
At this point you can mash the millet with a potato masher and serve as a side dish.
3. Otherwise, allow to cool, then break and egg into the mixture and mix it into the millet thoroughly.
4. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
5. Spray a baking pan with oil and place each burger on the pan. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
6. When done remove from oven and divide onto individual serving plates. Top with pesto and serve.
Chive Spinach Pesto
2 cups fresh chives, roughly chopped
4 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried
1-2 clove garlic, chopped
1/4 cup walnuts or pine nuts
1/2 cup avocado or extra virgin olive oil
salt to taste.
1. In a food processor puree the nuts until fine, but not paste.
2. Add the garlic and chop a bit more.
3. Add the chives and spinach and drizzle in the oil as the processor is running.
4. Add the salt and mix well. Great topping for pizza.