Recipe - Black Bean-Quinoa Burgers

Black Bean-Quinoa Burgers

Note: not my photo (I wish) - stock photo from Vegetarian Times

Serves 8

I am always on the look out for yummy veggie burger recipes, especially now that grilling season is upon us!  Here's a delicious veggie burger you can whip up from scratch.  I did find that the mixture was a tad "wet" so I added Panko bread crumbs until the moisture was absorbed.  Also, to make the patties, I wet my hands with water prior to forming each patty to prevent the mixture from sticking to my hands.  This recipe is perfect to make a double batch ahead of time and store in the freezer for busy weeknight meals. For super-easy cookouts, bake the patties ahead, then reheat them on the grill. Serve with your favorite burger fixings.  Enjoy...

• Ingredients:
• 
  
• ½ cup quinoa
• 1 small onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
• 6 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped (¼ cup)
• 1½ cups cooked black beans, or 1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained, divided
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
• 2 tsp. dried steak seasoning (I used Montreal Steak Seasoning)
• 8 whole-grain hamburger buns

Directions:

1. Stir together quinoa and 1½ cups water in small saucepan, and season with salt, if desired. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed. (You should have 1½ cups cooked quinoa.)

2. Meanwhile, place onion and sun-dried tomatoes in medium nonstick skillet, and cook over medium heat. (The oil left on the tomatoes should be enough to sauté the onion.) Cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until onion has softened. Stir in ¾ cup black beans, garlic, steak seasoning, and 1½ cups water. Simmer 9 to 11 minutes, or until most of liquid has evaporated.

3. Transfer bean-onion mixture to food processor, add ¾ cup cooked quinoa, and process until smooth. Transfer to bowl, and stir in remaining ¾ cup quinoa and remaining ¾ cup black beans. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and cool.

4. Preheat oven to 350°F, and generously coat baking sheet with cooking spray. Shape bean mixture into 8 patties (½ cup each), and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes, or until patties are crisp on top. Flip patties with spatula, and bake 10 minutes more, or until both sides are crisp and brown. Serve on buns.

Recipe is courtesy of Vegetarian Times July/August 2011 p.60