Bean Burgers

I my house, we're big fans of Black Bean Burgers. So this week when I had lots of left over great northern beans and some wasa crackers nobody was eating, I got creative. The results were delicious. Here are two recipes for you.

In case you're curious, here's a link for a lot of healthy burger recipes. Some are vegetarian, some aren't.
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/healthy_burger_recipes

And here's a good recipe for buns
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/whole_wheat_burger_buns.html

Black Bean Burgers

1 can black beans (DO NOT DRAIN)
1 egg
1 cup breadcrumbs, or more if needed (whole wheat if you can)
1 can chopped green chilies, the fresh roasted equivalent, or chili powder to your heat tolerance
1/4 cup or so corn meal
canola oil as needed
Cheese if desired
Buns/bread
Regular hamburger condiments

Using a stick blender or your food processor, mash up the beans a bit, but do not puree. Throw in one egg, slightly beaten, bread crumbs, and green chilies/chili powder, mixing well. Add enough crumbs so that it will hold together nicely and it's not too sticky.

Heat oil in skillet over medium high heat.

Place corn meal in a small plate. Put some water in a bowl or cup. Wet hands with water. (Re wet every time and the patties won't stick to your hands.) Scoop out about 1/2 cup of bean mixture and shape into a pattie. Place pattie on corn meal, turning over once to coat.

Once oil is hot, place a few patties in it. Cook each side for 4-5 minute. You can use more or less oil, it's up to you. I've even used cooking spray successfully, but the texture wasn't quite as good. I recommend canola since it's a good heart-healthy oil and it's more heat stable than olive oil.

Serve and eat just like a hamburger. It won't taste anything like beef because it's not supposed to any more than a chicken burger is. Enjoy it for what it is.

Great Northern Bean and Wasa burgers.

2 cups cooked great northern beans with liquid
1 egg
1/2 a package or so multigrain wasa, pulsed thoroughly in a food processor
1 can chopped green chilies, the fresh roasted equivalent, or chili powder to your heat tolerance
1/4 cup or so corn meal
canola oil as needed
Cheese if desired
Buns/bread
Regular hamburger condiments

Assemble just like the black bean burgers. Additional salt may be needed depending on whether or not you salted the beans as you cooked them. You can also use a can of great northern beans or any other bean.