Roasted Pepper and Black Bean Burgers

I got this recipe online for the black bean burgers, and only changed a few things to up the flavor. They taste really fresh and John and I really like them. 

1 16oz can Black Beans

3 pieces roasted read pepper from the jar (1 if they are full size red peppers)

3 garlic cloves

1/2 sweet onion 

1 small bunch cilantro

1 tsp crushed red pepper or 1Tbsp hot sauce

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1 tsp salt

1 egg

1/2 cup bread crumbs

Mash black beans in a large bowl. In a food processor,  blend red pepper, onion, garlic and cilantro until fine. Mix in with the mashed beans. Next, mix the egg, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, salt and egg until combined. Pour over bean mixture. Then drain any liquid from mixture by either setting over a colander, or squeezing with cheese cloth. Once liquid is removed, add 1/2 cup bread crumbs and stir.

Form patties (makes about 5). Roll patties in the leftover bread crumbs, and place in a skillet with olive oil. Cook until heated through, browned and firmed up. Serve with desired toppings. 

Yum!

Five Spice Burger with Warm Mu Shu Slaw

My brother is in town from California and has come to visit John and I! I am happy to have him here. He is a body builder (I actually spotted him yesterday as be bench pressed 365 lbs! Like I could have saved him if it fell!) so he is constantly eating... and the majority of the food he eats is meat. Myself not being much of a meat eater, decided to make him a high protein meal that consisted of two grilled chicken breast, two cups of brown rice, and just for fun, a Five Spice Turkey Burger with Warm Mu Shu Slaw. Yummmm! Not a vegetable in sight! Oh my! Ok, well, the Mu Shu is all vegetables but it's covered with hoison sauce. Anyway, he is a pretty plain eater so I knew I was taking a chance with the burger but he ate it anyway and at 7:45 am this morning, I awoke to find him in the kitchen in his boxers, burger patty in his hand, no bun, fulfilling his protein craving. Ahhhh "little" brothers. Whatever will we do with them.

John and I love this recipe despite it's non-traditional burger flavor. It tastes great and the spices really make this burger unique. You will need no ketchup here, this little guy is great on his own!

Ps: My good friend Marie so kindly gave us this recipe. It is a family favorite at her house and we are so glad she shared it with us! I believe it comes from/is inspired by Rachel Ray.

Five Spice Burger with Warm Mu Shu Slaw
Serves 4-6

1 1/2 pounds ground turkey

2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder

1 tbsp Grill seasoning

2 Garlic cloves, minced

1 Inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated

5 Scallions, 2 finely chopped, 3 cut into thirds lengthwise

3 tbsp Tamari (or soy sauce)

1 tbsp Vegetable oi

12 Shitake mushrooms, thinly sliced

1/2 pound Shredded cabbage (I use purple but any kind will do)

3 tbsp Hoisin sauce

4 rolls of your choosing. We usually use some sort of wheat.

In a medium bowl, combine the meat with the five-spice powder, grill seasoning, garlic, ginger, finely chopped scallions, tamari, and a drizzle of vegetable oil. Form your burgers (I make small burgers so I usually get about 6 4oz patties). Grill the burgers. (note: they are pretty fragile. I notice that they actually turn out better in a grill pan on the stove than outside. But either way, just be careful with them and they should be ok).

Heat a nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the 1 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Cook the shiitakes for 2 minutes, add the cabbage, and stir-fry for 3 minutes more. Add the sliced scallions and hoisin sauce, toss to combine, and remove from the heat.

Serve the burgers on the buns piled high with mu shu slaw on top. Serve with chunks of fresh pineapple an exotic chips alongside the burgers.

1 patty: Calories: 270, Fat: 11.5g, Carbs: 11g, Protein: 25g