Black Bean Burgers
1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed (Somebody makes them seasoned, that's good too, just can't remember the brand that seasons them)
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped (or red or yellow, or even mixed)
1/2 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and diced
1 egg
1 tablespoon chili powder (or a little less, depends on how much you like chili flavor, I don't use it if I use seasoned beans)
1 tablespoon cumin (I don't always have this handy, so sometimes it's left out)
1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce (up to you here, too)
1/2 cup bread crumbs (or more, but never less)
*If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees, and lightly oil a baking sheet.
*In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty (fork is better than potato masher).
*In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.
*In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
*Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.
*If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.
And sometimes I fry them in hot oil, but they are a little crumbly unless you refrigerate the mix a few hours before frying.
Sometimes I make a bunch of patties and freeze them uncooked, and sometimes I freeze any I have leftover, but they're good no matter how you prepare them. I don't always use a food processor either, but it does make them hold together better, less crumbly.
I found this recipe online last spring, played around with it during the summer, but this is about the best of all I've tried. Sometimes I just throw them together with what I have, minced garlic, a little sea salt, whatever is on hand, they're really easy and very tasty.
Got a pretty good recipe for hummus too, but then most everybody makes hummus, I think. I just love it with black bean burgers.
