Spicy Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 c. corn (I used canned)
• 2 cloves of garlic chopped
• 8 oz. tempeh crumbled into small pieces
• ½ jalapeño seeds removed, chopped
• 1 egg or 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal (ground raw flaxseed) + 2 1/2 Tbsp water
• 1 ½ Tbsp. adobo sauce
• Approximately 1 c. fine bread crumbs
• 1 tsp. granulated garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 Tbsp. oil

Directions:

1.       Pour the drained black beans in a large mixing bowl. Smash half of the beans with a potato masher.

2.       Add corn, garlic, tempeh, jalapeño, adobo sauce, salt, pepper, granulated garlic, egg, and ½ of bread crumbs to the black beans. Mix everything together with your hands until you can form a small ball that will stick together without crumbling. Add breadcrumbs to reach desired consistency. Place mixture in refrigerator and chill for 10 minutes.

3.       Remove mixture from refrigerator and form into patties.

4.       Heat oil over medium/high heat in medium shallow pan. Fry black bean patties until brown on each side. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels. Set aside.

5.       Meanwhile, heat grill to medium heat.

6.       Wrap each patty separately in aluminum foil. Poke small holes in the aluminum foil to allow steam to escape. Place the wrapped patties on heated grill. Grill for 5-7 minutes, flip patties, and grill another 5-7 minutes. Remove from grill. Unwrap patties, place on a bun, and add optional toppings (I melted a slice of cheddar on top of mine, and added ketchup, creole mustard, and pickles!)

7.       Enjoy!