Black Bean Burgers

I needed to make something quick tonight and at 3:00pm I still hadn't prepped anything for dinner. I wanted to make the burgers but I would have had to plan ahead and soak and cook my black beans and I failed today in that area and I had no other protein source. Once my son came home from school we ran to the grocery store to get what we needed. Let me first say...I haven't been to a large grocery store in a very long time. It was refreshing however to walk in and only buy 3 cans of organic black beans (which were cheaper that all the other brands), a block of sharp cheddar cheese and some whole grain buns that's it.

We get home and I now have 30 min to get a burger into my sons hands before he leaves for practice. So I drain the beans recruit my soux chefs (two kiddos) and they mash away. We throw everything else in and sear the burgers serve it up with Cheddar Cheese and organic mayo. 1 1/2 burgers later, I think man-boy is full? I know he ate, I didn't see him chew but I saw a burger-in-hand-to-mouth motion. BEEP BEEP ( his coach) kiss on the cheek and he's out the door. Whew! I know it's terrible to eat that quickly but I don't think he's ever done it differently.

Recipe as follows:

Makes 8 burgers using 1/2c patties.

3 cans Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
1/2 lg Bell Pepper
3 cloves Garlic
1 c Broccoli Crowns
1/2c Rolled Oats
1/2c unseasoned Breadcrumbs
2 eggs (whisked)
1 tsp chili powder
1/2tsp Smoked Paprika
1/4tsp Cumin
1/4tsp Coriander
1 1/2tbsp Kosher salt
1 tsp Oregano
Olive Oil or natural cooking spray

Preheat grill or pan on medium heat. Mash black beans until they begin to stick together. In a food processor puree bell pepper, broccoli and garlic. Add to bean mixture and remaining ingredients and stir until well combined. The mixture will be sticky.

Add oil or spray to the pan. Using 1/2c measurements form patties and place on grill and cook 4-5 min. on each side. Toast bun and add veggie or condiments of your choice.

My mom also joined us for dinner and we dressed our burgers with Avocado, garden Tomatoes, cheese and spicy brown mustard and ketchup along with Kettle Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper chips.

Refrigerate leftover burgers separated with parchment paper.