Toasted Almond Tofu Burgers

The original of this recipe came from Bon Appetit -- I clipped it years before I actually made it. I love meatless entrees, though though we're not vegetarian. These burgers are so, so delicious on a bun with ketchup, or stuffed into a pita.

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Yields: 5 3ounce patties

Ingredients

• 1 (12 ounce) box extra firm tofu
•  oil, for sauteeing
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped yellow onions or 1⁄2 cup green onion
• 1  clove garlic, minced
• 1  teaspoon  grated fresh ginger
• 1⁄2 cup  almonds, toasted and ground or 1⁄2 cup  almond meal, toasted
• 1  teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1  egg
• 1  tablespoon soy sauce
• 1  teaspoon  sesame oil

Directions

1. Press as much liquid as possible out of the tofu in this way: Wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel, place on a plate, top with another plate and weight down with heavy canned goods.
2. Leave for 1 hour.
3. Unwrap the tofu, place in a bowl, and mash with a potato masher.
4. Heat the oil in a medium-size skillet over medium heat and saute the onion or green onion, the garlic and ginger until very tender and golden.
5. Add to the tofu.
6. Add the toasted almond meal and egg to the tofu.
7. Stir in soy sauce and sesame oil, plus salt to taste.
8. (At this point, you may chill the mixture for up to a day.) Shape the almond-tofu mixture into patties and either grill or pan-fry in a tiny amount of oil until hot, about 3 minutes per side.
9. Serve by themselves, on buns or bagels, or top with cheese.