Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Homemade Guacamole

I made this recipe for vegan boy, but it has become a favorite of everyone in the extended household. It is not difficult to make and is delicious and satisfying. There is only one ingredient change that makes it vegan. I will point it out when we get to it. (This recipe was adapted from one I saw on an Emeril’s Lagasse cooking show several years ago)

Ingredients for burgers:

2 cans black beans drained and rinsed

1 small red onion

3 to 4 cloves minced garlic

1/4 cup flour I use whole wheat

1 tablespoon Creole spice.  I use Emeril's

1 egg lightly beaten…. for vegan: 1 tablespoon flax seed powder and 3 tablespoons water whipped till foamy

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro you can use parsley if you are not a fan of cilantro

Juice of 1 lime

1 teaspoon hot sauce

olive oil

Heat  a tablespoon of oil in a sauté pan. When it is hot add the onion and cook until soft and lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Be careful garlic burns easily. Set aside to cool.

In a medium mixing bowl mash the black beans very well. The mixture should be somewhat smooth.  Stir in the onion and garlic mixture, egg, cumin, coriander, salt pepper, lime juice and hot sauce. The flour, along with the egg, acts as a binder for the mixture. Start with half and fold into the beans. Form a bit of the mixture into a ball and check for texture. If it holds together you are good to go. I would still add the whole amount of flour and have some extra to coat your hands with when you form the burgers. They tend to stick to your hands.  This recipe makes about 5 good size burgers.

Heat up a large non-stick skillet and add olive oil to coat. When oil is hot add burgers. Cook for 3 minutes per side. Do not fuss with them. Turn them once that is it. When the burgers have a nice golden crust they are done.

Serve on whole wheat rolls with lettuce, sliced tomatoes, thinly sliced sweet onion and your favorite condiments. I serve guacamole on the side, the recipe follows.

Guacamole

Ingredients:

2 ripe avocados

1 small diced tomato

1/2 jalapeno seeded and ribs removed (unless you like the heat) and diced small

1/2 red onion diced small

chopped cilantro to taste

juice of 1 or 2 limes

Combine all ingredients and lightly mix. Serve as a condiment for your burger or as a side with some chips. Enjoy!

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