BLACK BEAN BURGER

This is the best vegetarian burger I have ever tasted.  My friend Densey introduced me to these several years ago and I was really surprised how really good they are.  If you think they are going to taste like a hamburger, don’t go there because they don’t but they really are delicious and much better for you than ground beef.  Try them, I think you will like them, even if you are not a vegetarian.

Here is how to make Black Bean Burgers…

Pre heat oven to 375 degrees and grease a baking sheet and set aside

Drain and rinse

1 – 15oz can black beans (1 can makes 4 burgers)

Pulverize in your blender or mash the beans really fine

Put the beans in a mixing bowl

Add

1/2 green bell pepper chopped fine

1/2 medium onion chopped fine

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. finely chopped celery

2 cloves garlic minced

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/2 tsp. chili powder (or more to taste)

Mix well to combine

Add

1 large egg (or you can use egg substitute) beaten with 1 Tbsp. cold water

Mix the egg into the bean mixture

Add

3/4 to 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Mix well.  If bean mixture is still too sticky to form patties add a little more bread crumbs, just a little at a time until you have the consistency of ground hamburger meat. Divide mixture into four equal parts and shape into patties.

Place burgers on prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes on each side. Toast sandwich buns and coat with a little mayonnaise or your favorite spread. Top with lettuce leaves, slice of tomato and a slice of raw onion and place your cooked black bean burger on top.   

Add a slice of your favorite cheese (optional) and place the other half of your sandwich bun on top.   Serve with a dill pickle spear and a handful of your favorite chips. You can always add other toppings of choice; mushrooms, cucumber slices, sliced radishes, shredded carrot, cole slaw, whatever you like on a burger.