Black Bean Burgers

Grilling season is still here – if only for a couple of more months.  Try this delicious black bean burger recipe, adapted from allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

1 16oz can black beans, drained and rinsed (pat dry with paper towels)

1/2 bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces

1/2 onion cut into wedges

3 cloves garlic, peeled

1 egg

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon hot sauce

1/2 cup bread crumbs

Directions:

If grilling:  Preheat 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 they are a thick paste.

In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion and garlic.  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 mixture is sticky and holds together.  Divide 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.

Additional options – you can mix in other ingredients into the patties such as mushrooms or corn.  Serve with lettuce and tomato slices on a multigrain bun, or use lettuce leaves as a bun.  These would also be great topped with avocado or hummus.  For a quick easy week night dinner, make ahead of time and freeze the patties so they’re ready to grill when you get home at night.