Sue Redmond's Wild Rice Burgers

These are delicious!

Ingredients:
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/2 cup of chopped yellow onion
* 1/2 cup chopped button or portabella mushrooms
* 2 to 4 Tablespoons olive oil or butter
* 4 cups well-cooked, soft, wild and white or brown rice mixture, 1 part wild rice to 2 parts white or brown (Lundberg offers a wild rice and white basmati blend)
* (OPTIONAL) 1/2 cup dried cranberries, reconstituted by soaking in boiled water, drained and chopped
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup blend of grated parmesan, asiago, or romano cheeses
* 1/4 cup Italian style bread crumbs
* 2 eggs* Salt and pepper to taste
* Swiss cheese slices
* Sliced red onion
* Wheat hamburger buns

Preparation:
* Cook the rice and cool. Saute the garlic, onion and mushrooms in olive oil or butter until soft, about 5 minutes. Combine the cooked rice, cranberries, bread crumbs, cheese and sauteed ingredients with the two eggs in a bowl. Salt and pepper to taste and blend ingredients together. With your hands, form thick patties.

* Grill or fry in oil for 2-3 minutes or until a light crust forms. Since the ingredients are already cooked, the grilling time is minimal.

* Top with a slice of swiss cheese and onion as desired. Serve on a soft wheat bun.

Suggested variations by Lynn Rosetto Kasper (NPR's The Splendid Table):
* Sautee the mushrooms in red wine to add flavor and moisture. Other add-ins - chopped walnuts, green or jalapeno peppers, fresh herbs or other seasonings, or making them with risotto rice.