Veggie Black Bean Burgers

It's been great weather lately and I've been wanting to grill but...I'm not able to eat much of what goes on the grill.  (I haven't learn to grill fish yet.)  So I tried my hand at making my first batch of Black Bean Veggie Burgers along with some Spicy Chili French Fries.  We didn't do too bad of a job.

Veggie Black Bean Burgers
Courtesy of www.allrecipes.com
6 servings

• 1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
• 1 cup water
• Two 16oz. cans black beans, rinsed & drained
• 1 green bell pepper, halved & seeded
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
• 2 eggs
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 Tbsp. ground cumin
• 1 Tbsp. garlic salt
• 1 tsp. hot sauce 
• 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs                                                                                                       

1. Bring brown rice & water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat.  Reduce heat to medium-low, cover & simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. (About 45-50 min.)
2. Preheat grill.  Lightly oil sheet of aluminum foil. (Read my note at the end of this recipe.)  Mash black beans in a large bowl with a fork until thick & pasty.
3. Place the bell pepper, onion, mushrooms & garlic into a food processor bowl and chop finely.  Stir this mixture into the mashed beans.  Place the mozzarella & brown rice into the food processor & process until combined.  Stir rice mixture into bean mixture.
4. Whisk together the eggs, hot sauce & spices.  Stir egg mixture into the black bean mixture.  Stir in the bread crumbs adding additional if needed until mixture is sticky & holds together.  (I added about an extra 1/2 cup.)  Divide into 6 patties.
5. Place onto foil & grill until browned (about 8 min on each side).

Note:  You can also bake these burgers instead of grill them.  Bake at 375 degrees on a lightly oiled baking sheet (about 10 min on each side).  
We opted to grill these, but they tended to stick to the foil regardless of the oil.  We instead put one of those grill pans for fish/vegetables on the grill, sprayed it with Pam, and it worked out just fine.  They are fairly fragile burgers, so be careful when you turn them.

Spicy Chili French Fries
Courtesy of www.allrecipes.com
4 servings

• 4 large russet potatoes, peeled & cut into 1/4 inch thick fries
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup tomato-vegetable juice cocktail
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 2 tsp. dried onion granules
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. white sugar
• 1 tsp. salt 

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a large baking sheet.
2. Fill a large bowl with cold water, add potatoes & allow to soak for 10 min.
3. Whisk together the oil, vegetable juice, sugar & spices in a large bowl.
4. Drain potatoes & pat dry.  Toss the potatoes in the oil & spice mixture.  Stir until evenly coated.  Arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet.
5. Bake for 20 min, turn & continue to bake for additional 20 min.

Enjoy!