Photo by Noel Barnhurst

I don't crave burgers very often, but when I do, I lust after the big, juicy kind you can really sink your teeth into. That's what makes this burger -- made from black-eyed peas rather than ground beef -- such a delightful surprise. It has all the texture and taste that I look for in a good burger, but none of the hidden fat or guilt. Try it out for your next barbecue -- I can guarantee that even the most devoted carnivore friends won't even miss the meat!

Ingredients
2 cups cooked or canned black-eyed peas, drained
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Vegetable oil, for brushing on the patties and the grill rack
All-purpose flour, for dusting the patties
6 hamburger buns, split
Mustard of choice
Mayonnaise or sandwich spread
Ketchup
18 bread-and-butter or dill pickle slices
6 tomato slices
6 lettuce leaves

Directions
1. Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill for medium-high. To make the patties, mash the peas in a large bowl with a fork. Add the onion, egg, salt, pepper, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce; mix well. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the buns. Lightly brush both sides of the patties with oil, then lightly dust with flour.

2. When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once very carefully, until well-browned, firm to the touch, and no longer gooey when cut into with a knife, 5 to 6 minutes on each side. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the buns, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly.

3. To assemble the burgers, generously spread the cut sides of the buns with mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. On each bun bottom, place a patty, 3 pickle slices, a tomato slice, and a lettuce leaf. Add the bun tops and serve.

Excerpted from Build a Better Burger: Celebrating Sutter Home's Annual Search for America's Best Brugers by James McNair. Copyright © 2005. Reprinted by permssion of Ten Speed Press. Recipe by Wayne Fairchild.

Check out more great burger recipes here!

Click here for red, white and blue desserts.

Click here to search our recipe finder.

-- Sara Hennessey

See More: Dinner , Food & Recipes , Healthy Eating , Recipes