Black Bean Burgers

Vegetarian burgers?!? Yep, they are good.

Ingredients

• 2 slices stale or toasted whole wheat sandwich bread
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, minced (membranes and seeds removed)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 ¼ cups cooked brown rice
• 2 tsp fresh lime juice
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• whole wheat bread or breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• Serve with buns, avocado, tomato, cotija cheese (optional), and cilantro-lime mayo (optional).

Instructions

In the bowl or food processor, pulse bread to form breadcrumbs. Pour into a bowl and set aside. Saute onion until soft. Add garlic, jalapeños, and cumin and saute for additional 2 minutes. Scrape the mixture into the food processor. Add black beans, rice, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Pulse until the beans are chopped, but not pureed.
Scrape the black bean mixture into a large bowl. Add the breadcrumbs and the cilantro. Using a wooden spoon, stir the mixture until combined. Divide the mixture into four equal portions and form into patties. If the mixture is too moist to form patties, add more breadcrumbs. Place the patties on a baking sheet lined with plastic wrap and cover with additional plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour. Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a large skillet (preferably not nonstick, so a good crust can form) set over medium heat. Add the burgers and cook for 4 minutes per side.

Cilantro-Lime Mayo

• ¼ C mayonnaise
• 2 tsp fresh lime juice
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped cilantro
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, lime juice, cumin, 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro, and pepper. Stir well.