Meat-Lovers' Veggie Burger

• 1/3 cup instant rice (white or brown)
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 1/2 cups frozen vegetables
• 1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg, slightly beaten

1. In a small saucepan, combine rice and water. Bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer until all the water is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add frozen veggies and cook for 1 minutes or so to soften. (This is also the stage where you would cook onions and garlic if you would like to add them!).
3. Remove veggies to a large bowl. Stir in rice, oats, walnuts, cheese, flour, basil, salt and pepper into vegetable mixture. Add the egg and stir until starchy, about 1 minute. (Make sure to beat the egg BEFORE adding to the other ingredients. Otherwise your patties won't bind as well.).
4. Using a 1/3 cup dry measure, scoop and form mixture into 8 patties.
5. In the same large skillet you cooked the veggies, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Cook patties in oil until browned on one side, about 3 minutes. Turn over and continue cooking until browned and cooked through, about 2 minutes.
6. Serve however you like - I suggest inside of pita bread.

instant rice, water, vegetable oil, frozen vegetables, oats, walnuts, mozzarella cheese, flour, basil, salt, black pepper, egg

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/meat-lovers-veggie-burger-269467 (may not work)