By nutritional therapist Christine Bailey

These vegetarian burgers are wonderfully fragrant flavoured with a Jamaican jerk inspired spice paste. The addition of beans and amaranth provides plenty of protein and fibre to help stabilise blood sugar levels and support digestive health.

(makes 4 burgers)

Ingredients for jerk paste:
2 spring onions, chopped
1cm piece of fresh ginger, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
½ a small onion, chopped
1 scotch bonnet chilli, deseeded and chopped
1 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp tamari soy sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp dried thyme
2 tsp xylitol or coconut sugar
1 tsp ground allspice

Ingredients for burgers:
400g cooked red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
100g amaranth flakes (or millet flakes)
1 egg beaten
Sea salt and black pepper

Method:
Place the ingredients for the jerk paste in a food processor and process to form a thick paste.

Add the beans, amaranth and egg and blend briefly to combine everything but keep some texture. If the mixture is too wet add a little more amaranth flakes. Season with salt and pepper.

Divide the mixture into four, then wet your hands and shape into burgers. The burgers can now be frozen if wished.

To cook preheat the grill. Place on a non-stick baking tray, then grill for 5 mins on each side until golden and crisp. If you are cooking from frozen, bake at 200C, gas 6 for 20-30 mins until cooked through and lightly brown.

Serve the burgers with salad.

About Christine Bailey
Christine is an award-winning nutritionist, chef and author. With a passion for creating delicious nourishing recipes, Christine has a reputation for transforming people’s health and love of real food. As well as seeing clients and writing for national press,  Christine runs ‘Nourish’ cookery classes including popular hands-on days for children. Christine is an inspiring nutritional chef well known for her engaging style and enthusiasm.

Christine is the author of numerous health and recipe books including ebooks on paleo eating and gluten-free recipes. Her books include her popular Supercharged Juices and Smoothies, The Juice Diet Book, The Raw Food Diet Book and Eat to Get Younger. Christine has particular specialisms in paleo diets, allergy free cooking, digestive health, coeliac disease and other autoimmune conditions, allergies, healthy ageing and weight loss.

For more information visit her website www.christinebailey.co.uk or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.