Vegan Black Bean Burgers

June 2023 - We needed a dish for a garden party and she tried several from the internet before landing on a Morning Star copycat. Unfortunately we didn't have all the ingredients in-house so she made a number of substitutions. The results were just delicious.

Pesto Seasoning - This is a mix of dried herbs. The listed ingredients are: basil, chives, garlic, onion, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, pepper.

A. rice, Basmati 0.5 cup
  dry black beans 18 ounces
   

Cook the rice, and keep 1 cup measured after cooking.

Soak the black beans and cook them according to package instructions.

B. black beans half of what you cooked
  instant oatmeal, unflavored 2 packets The kind you stir into water in a mug. You could substitute quick oats.
  tomato paste 4 tablespoons
  chipotle peppers in adobo 2 tablespoons This is pretty spicy, but won't kill you
  Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons
  vegetable broth 3 tablespoons
  smoked paprika 2 teaspoons
  cumin 1 teaspoon
  pesto dried herb mix 3 teaspoons You could substitute 1 teaspoon each of dried basil, oregano, onion powder
  garlic powder 1 teaspoon
  salt 1 teaspoon
  black pepper 1/8 teaspoon
   

Add to a food processor half the black beans from the first step, the oatmeal, rice, and the rest of the ingredients.

Pulse it a few times to mix it well. You want it to remain chunky - if it becomes a paste that will ruin the texture of the burgers.

Move the mix into a large bowl.

C. black beans remaining half  
  corn, frozen 0.5 cup
  corn starch 1 tablespoon  
   

Add these ingredients to the bowl. Mix it well with a spatula.

Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.

D. vegetable oil 2 tablespoons  
   

Using your hands, form the mixture into patties. We made them the size of small pancakes about 3/8 inch thick.

Heat the oil in a skillet. Fry the patties 3-4 minutes per side.