Black Bean Burgers (Gluten-Free Recipe!)

If you order veggie burgers then I am betting you have tried several and they were each very different in both texture and taste.  Have you tried to duplicate your favorite?  I have!  My family has a couple of favorite hamburger joints and we know how we like our hamburgers.  Veggie burgers have been more of a mystery.  We finally narrowed it down and our favorite type is black bean burgers.  After many variations with brown rice, oatmeal, bread crumbs, spices, and other fillers... we have a winner! This burger has mostly black beans and only a little bit of filler.  These are delicious, very easy to make, and they hold together.  They can be made several days in advance and reheated in a skillet, microwave, or in the oven.  I know they will freeze well and plan to make several batches to put in the freezer.  I know this is going to be another great option for school lunches, too.  My kids are very happy!  Another bonus --these are gluten free. :)

Claire's Black Bean Burgers

2 15-ounce cans of organic black beans (drained)

1 sweet potato (roasted and mashed)

½ cup of quinoa flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

olive oil (for brushing tops of burgers)

one large bunch of chopped cilantro (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Put quinoa flakes and one can of black beans into food processor.  Pulse until incorporated and mixed together (or mash by hand with a potato masher).   Add the the second can of black beans and salt and pepper to taste.  Continue to pulse until mostly mashed but still some whole and partial beans remain.  Put mixture into a bowl and fold in the sweet potato until fully incorporated into the black beans and quinoa mixture.  If using, add cilantro and fold into the mixture.

Scoop 9 patties onto a parchment-lined sheet pan.  Flatten scoops lightly with figures.  Brush each patty with olive oil and bake for 20 minutes.  Flip patties and return to oven for another 10 minutes.

Serve with fresh cilantro, avocado, & tomato ---or any fixins' of your choice!