Recipe: Black Bean Burger Patties

This is a really tasty recipe. Don't be afraid to use the amount of spices that are called for here, especially if you're used to beef burgers and are trying black bean patties for the first time because if you don't, these will taste bland. This recipe is tweaked a bit from the original (found here) and it's doubled because I like to freeze half of the patties before cooking so I can save them for a future meal- they keep for about a month. This recipe turned out to be the perfect consistency to form the patties, if you find yours come out too sticky or runny, add more bread crumbs, if they're too dry add a little ketchup to the mix. Once cooked you can fix these up with your favorite toppings; avocado slices, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. I hope you like them as much as we do.

Black Bean Burger Patties

Ingredients:
4 cups cooked black beans
1 cup quick oats
1 Tbsp. cooking oil
6-8 cloves garlic minced (depends how much you like garlic)
1 cup onion, chopped fine
1 cup green or red pepper, chopped fine
3 large ribs of celery, chopped fine
4 tsp. cumin
4 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. fresh ginger, chopped fine (or I use the kind you buy in a tube)
1/2 tsp. cayenne or chipotle pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/2-1 cup dry bread crumbs of your choice

1. Mash and/or puree black beans, place in a large mixing bowl. Add oats.
2. In a skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and cook until tender. Add bell pepper and celery, cook until soft. Add seasonings and ginger, stir over heat until well mixed.
3. Add onion mixture to the black beans and oats. Add soy sauce and bread crumbs a little at a time. Form burger patties. Cook in skillet or on griddle until browned on each side.