Grilled Eggplant Burger

This Grilled Eggplant Burger is a vibrant and flavorful vegan dish inspired by Thai cuisine, featuring smoky eggplant, aromatic herbs, and a hint of spice. Served on a toasted bun with a refreshing cucumber salad, it's a delightful and healthy alternative to traditional burgers.

Ingredients

• Eggplant - 1 medium-sized (about 250g)
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Soy sauce - 1 tablespoon
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Fresh cilantro - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Fresh basil - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Red chili - 1 small, finely chopped
• Lime juice - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
• Whole wheat burger buns - 2
• Cucumber - 1 small, thinly sliced
• Carrot - 1 small, grated
• Sriracha sauce - for serving (optional)

Steps

1. Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium heat.
2. Slice the eggplant into 1 cm thick rounds and place them in a bowl.
3. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, chopped basil, red chili, lime juice, salt, and black pepper.
4. Pour the marinade over the eggplant slices and let them sit for about 10 minutes.
5. Grill the eggplant slices for about 5-7 minutes on each side, until they are tender and have nice grill marks.
6. While the eggplant is grilling, prepare the cucumber and carrot salad by mixing the sliced cucumber and grated carrot in a bowl. You can add a squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of salt for extra flavor if desired.
7. Toast the whole wheat burger buns on the grill for about 1-2 minutes until golden.
8. Assemble the burgers by placing the grilled eggplant on the bottom half of each bun, topping with the cucumber and carrot salad, and adding Sriracha sauce if desired. Place the top half of the bun on and serve immediately.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 7 g
• Carbs: 40 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10.5 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in antioxidants from eggplant which may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
• High in fiber, promoting digestive health and satiety.

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