Sabich Burgers with Peach Amba
Sabich Burgers with Peach Amba
by: Chanie Apfelbaum, check out her book Millenial Kosher
We’re big on Meatless Monday’s in my house so I’m always trying to come up with creative ways to feed my family. Eggplants make a great substitute for meat and breading them this way makes it feel like you’re eating shnitzel. I especially love the peach amba, a seasonal twist on the classic Iraqi condiment.
makes 8
Photo : Chanie Apfelbaum
Ingredients
Burgers:
1 large eggplant, sliced into 1/2″ thick slices
1 1/2 cups plain panko breadcrumbs
3 tbsp za’atar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup flour
salt and pepper, to taste
canola oil, for frying
8 burger buns
8 eggs, prepared sunny-side-up
1/2 cup prepared hummus
1/2 cup tahini sauce
sliced tomato
cucumber ribbons
Peach Amba:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 large clove garlic, minced
2 tsp mustard seeds
1 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ancho chili powder
1 tsp ground fenugreek
1 tsp smoked paprika
4 medium ripe peaches, peeled and diced
1 tsp kosher salt
juice of 1/2 lemon
Directions
Make the amba: Heat the olive oil in a skillet and add the onion, saute until softened but not browned. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant. Add the mustard, turmeric, cumin, chili powder, fenugreek and smoked paprika and saute until fragrant. Add the peaches and salt and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until the peaches break down and soften, about 15-20 minutes. If the mixture starts to stick to the pan, add a bit of water. Stir in lemon juice, cool and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
NOTE: if the amba is too tangy for your taste, add a squeeze of honey or maple syrup.
The burgers: Set up a dredging station.
In one bowl, stir the panko crumbs with the za’atar and salt, to taste. In a second bowl, add the eggs with salt and pepper. And in a third bowl, add the flour with salt and pepper.
Heat some canola oil in a frying pan. Using one hand for wet ingredients and another for dry ingredients, dip the eggplant in flour, eggs and panko, shaking off the excess in between. Fry the eggplant until golden on both sides and drain on paper towels. Remove to a baking rack so the eggplant stays crispy.
When ready to serve, place some hummus on the bottom half of your bun, top with sliced tomato, cucumber ribbons, 1-2 slices of fried eggplant, sunny side up egg, amba and tahini. Serve immediately.
