Simple Black Bean Burger

another recipe i've wanted to try is the Black
Bean Burger..i searched a few recipes to get
an idea of what the main ingredients were....
of course one being black beans..but other
key components for the base..then i could
take it from there....this is my 1st trial run &
i definitely will be coming back to tweak it a
bit....practice makes progress!

INGREDIENTS:
• 1 (14-16 oz.) can black beans
• 4 slices (lightly toasted) whole grain wheat
• ¼ a medium onion
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 3 mushrooms (of choice)
• ½ tsp. smoked paprika
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire (or soy as a substitute)
• ¼ c. liquid egg whites or egg substitute
• 3 tbsp. olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. drain & rinse the black beans then transfer
to a large bowl
2. smash beans with a fork until a mushy
consistency is reached, leaving a few chunks
if desired
3. in a food processor, pulse torn slices of
bread until they form crumbs then add to the
mushed black beans
4. also in the processor, pulse the garlic, onion
& mushrooms until finely chopped

5. add the chopped garlic, onion, & mushroom,
salt, pepper, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and
egg whites to the black beans & bread crumbs
then mix thoroughly
6. at this point, the patties are ready to be made
or can be covered & refrigerated for a few hours
so the ingredients can hang out & get to know
one another

7. heat the oil on low-medium heat in a pan to
cook the patties on each side for 4-5 minutes so
they cook through, preventing mushy centers
(recipe yields 3-4 depending on one's appetite)
8. serve with OR without a bun and favorite
toppings