"Better than Beef" Black Bean Burgers

These are NOT your frozen food section black bean burgers that usually lack taste, texture and no matter what you do end up mushy. These are "beefed" up...

Ingredients:

4 cups cooked, rinsed and drained black beans (2.5 15oz cans)

1/2 cup Panko crumbs

2 large eggs

4 scallions, both white & green parts, minced

3 Tbsp chopped basil or cilantro

2 garlic cloves, minced

1.5-2tsp ground cumin

1.5 tsp oregano

1-2tsp crushed red pepper (to taste)

1 tsp coarse salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1. Place 2 cups of the black beans in food processor and pulse until chunky

2. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.  Add in remaining whole black beans, plus panko, eggs, scallions, fresh herbs, garlic, cumin, oregano and red pepper flakes. Mix until well combined.

3. Portion your mixture into patties about 1" thick.  Suggested diameter is 3".  Place patties on a plate and chill in fridge for 15min so they can set up.

4. When ready to cook, sprinkle the patties with some salt & pepper. My favorite way to cook to get them real crisp is to place a cast-iron skillet over high heat, without any fat.  When it is hot add burgers to dry pan.  Cook for roughly 4 min. until well seared. (If you do not have a cast iron skillet use a non-stick skillet)

5. Turn burger onto second side and allow to cook for additional 5 min. over medium heat.

6. Serve immediately with some fixins:

• cheese (we did not)

• lettuce

• fresh tomato slices

• pico de gallo or salsa

• sour cream

• avocado

Eat with a whole wheat bun, wheat pita or "bunless".

Serves 6

#Burgers #Healthy #VeggieLife