When Daddy says it’s better than a ground beef patty, it’s got to be good. Daddy, the barely-living heart patient, is definitely a dedicated carnivore who listens to no one when it comes to modifying his diet. But, I keep trying. What can I say? I am a hard-headed, persistent, never-give-up kind of gal. I keep inviting him over for scrumptious vegetarian lasagna, bok choy and walnut stir-fry, black bean taco salad, and the best darn chili you’ll ever eat.
He eats every bit of it, smacks his lips, swears it is the most delicious food he’s ever eaten. I think I have him convinced. I send him home with new recipes, a link to my blog, and big hug. I am so happy, and I just know I have converted him to my way of eating. I call the next day to check on his progress. Nope! (Me: a very sad face) He’s browning meat for a gravy. I can just see that animal fat dripping down the sides of his lips. The thing is: Daddy is just has hard-headed as me! UGH!!
It is true that Daddy does love all my vegetarian dishes; however, he just doesn’t love them as much as he loves meat, but with this burger, he can pretend he’s eating fresh ground sirloin. This burger reminds him of a “real” meat hamburger. After his first bite, I can tell that I have his attention because he does his little “umgh”…that’s the “darn!., this tastes sooo good groan”. I feel very hopeful this time.
The next day I make the usual call… Yes!!! Daddy is cooking black beans, and he has my brother trucking to the grocery store to pick up the quinoa! Of course, I find out later, he had to put his own twist to the recipe (a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce), and according to him, his black bean burgers are better than mine. He thinks he is a better cook than me, and for his honor, I will leave that ingredient in my recipe.
So, enjoy my delicious black bean burger recipe with Daddy’s splash of Worcestershire sauce.
NOTE: enjoy the pics or scroll to the bottom for the recipe print out.
Start with this:
Mix it up until it looks like this:
Add this:
Make patties and cook them like this:
Slice some of these:
And dress it up like this:
Fold it over like this:
Don’t forget to bake healthy oven fries with spicy cayenne pepper like this:
Here’s the recipe:
- 2 cups black beans (I cook organic dry beans, but a 16 oz can will work, especially in a hurry)
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- ½ cup bread crumbs (use more or less to get the correct consistency)
- 1-2 eggs, enough to hold the ingredients together
- ½ cup sauteed onions, finely chopped
- 3 cloves sauteed garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- dressing:
- mayonnaise or very ripe creamed avocado (I stir a little olive oil with ¼ of an avocado)
- dijon mustard
- fixings:
- red onion, sliced
- ripe tomato
- romaine lettuce
- Serve with oven baked fries!
- In a large mixing bowl, add cooked black beans and cooked quinoa. Mix thoroughly and mash with a fork until mushy. Most of the time I use a food processor for this step. Just pulse until blended.
- Fold in the bread crumbs and egg. If it isn't yet the consistency of ground beef, let it stand a few minutes to allow the bread crumbs to soak in the extra juice. After five minutes, add more breadcrumbs if necessary.
- Add the cooked onions, garlic, and seasonings. Mix until well blended.
- Scoop up a handful of mixture and form into patties.
- In a skillet, cook the bean burger patties on medium heat.
- Cook until it is slightly hard on top and held together. Be careful not to cook too long. Bean burgers do not take as long as beef burgers.
- Slice red onion, tomatoes, and tear romaine lettuce.
- Toast the buns side down on a hot skillet.
- Smear on the dressing and add the fixings and enjoy!