Black Bean Veggie Burgers

*In my attempt to get more vegetables, I've been seeking out vegetarian recipes. I thought this one sounded delicious. I'd never had a veggie burger before, but if they all taste like this, I may just eat them more! I found this recipe on NieNie Dialogues blog, but adjusted it a little.*

Black Bean Veggie Burgers

Ingredients:

1/2 - 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
3 TBSP olive oil
1/2 large red onion, chopped fine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 hot pepper, such as jalapeno or serrano, chopped. (I had a frozen red hot pepper from the garden left over from the summer, so I used that).
1 tsp ground cumin
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/4 cups cooked, brown rice
1 lime
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 small bunch of cilantro

In a mixing bowl, place 1/2 cup of the Panko breadcrumbs, set aside.

Heat 1 TBSP olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onion, sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Saute until soft. Add in garlic and minced pepper. Saute until soft and fragrant. Add the 1 tsp of cumin, stir over heat for about 2 minutes.

Place onion mixture in food processor. Add in beans, rice, juice from 1/2 lime, salt, pepper, and about 1/4 cup of cilantro. Pulse until combined, but not pureed.
Add black bean mixture to breadcrumbs that were set aside. If mixture is too wet, add more breadcrumbs so that you can form patties.

Line baking sheet with plastic wrap. Form patties and place on sheet. I was able to make 7 patties. Place more plastic wrap over patties and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Heat 2 TBSP of olive oil in skillet. Cut burger patties over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side to form a nice crust on the outside and heat through.

Serve with bun, cilantro lime mayo, salsa, and avocado.

I even used a wheat tortilla and made it a wrap. Delish. See below for cilantro lime mayo recipe.

Cilantro Lime Mayo
1/2 cup light mayo
juice from 1/2 lime
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp black pepper
At least 2 TBSP of chopped cilantro, more to taste if you desire.