To celebrate World Vegan Month, chefs from the Capsicum Culinary Studio have shared one of their favourite meat- and-dairy-free recipes.

World Vegan Month is an annual designation observed in November and a time when plant-based eaters from across the globe come together to celebrate their 100% cruelty-free lifestyle.

There are many different ways to embrace the vegan lifestyle, but the underlying rule is to eat a plant-based diet. Vegan also avoid fish, dairy, eggs, and honey, as well as products like leather or fur. You might be thinking, ?So, what can they eat?? Surprisingly, there are thousands of vegan recipes out there that are delicious, and exceptionally nutritious.

Shelain Horn, who lectures at the establishment’s Boksburg campus, gave us her delicious Vegan Burger recipe:

Ingredients

• 100g walnuts
• 165g cooked/canned chickpeas
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp vegan mayonnaise
• 1 tsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked/Spanish paprika
• ½ tsp braai spice
• 1 cup cooked couscous
• 75g flour

Method

Blend the chickpeas with the soy sauce and tomato paste in a food processor until well mixed.

Add the walnuts and blend until the nuts are chopped into small bits.

Transfer the mixture to a bowl and mix in the vegan mayo, hoisin sauce, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, paprika and braai spice.

Add the couscous and the flour and stir until combined.

Knead the mixture for about 3 minutes until the flour has started to bind the mixture together.

Divide the mixture into 4 – 6 equal quantities and shape into patties.

Fry the patties in a little oil.

Baste them with some vegan BBQ sauce while cooking if desired.

Load up a fresh burger roll with all your favourite toppings and enjoy.

Chef’s Notes

This mixture can also be shaped into balls, shallow fried and served as vegan meatballs. Uncooked patties can be frozen for up to three months.