Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 2 cups of cooked black beans (or 1 can drained & rinsed)
• 3/4 cup cooked quinoa
• 1/4 cup of minced red or yellow bell peppers
• 1/4 cup of roasted corn (fresh raw corn also works nicely)
• 1/2 a small onion, finely chopped
• 1 egg (or 1 “flax egg” = 3 Tbs water + 1 Tbs. ground flaxseed)
• 2 Tablespoons of olive oil or coconut oil
• 1 Tablespoon of balsamic or apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon of soy sauce or tamari
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• sea salt & black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a medium skillet. Add minced garlic, onion, bell pepper, salt and black pepper.  Sauté until onions are translucent.  Add cumin, paprika, chili powder and cayenne.  Stir for another minute.
2. Add the soy sauce, balsamic, 1 cup black beans, 1/4 cup of roasted corn and cook for about 3-5 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let sit.
3. You can use a food processor OR a large mixing bowl and your (clean) hands for this next part.  Add contents of skillet into a mixing bowl or food processor and stir in flax egg (or regular egg).  I prefer to use a flax egg for this recipe because I can taste the seasoning as I go and add more if I want.  Process/Stir contents until everything sticks together. If you are using your hands–you should be smashing the black beans as you stir.
4. Finally, hand stir in 3/4 cup of cooked quinoa and the rest of the black beans.  Important: If using food processor, dump contents into a mixing bowl and then hand stir in 3/4 cup of cooked quinoa & rest of black beans.
5. Divide into 4 patties.  Tip: use a circle cookie cutter to help you shape the patties evenly.  Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place patties on parchment paper and chill in fridge for about 20 minutes to 1 hour.

Cooking options

BAKE: Preheat oven and baking sheet 375 F.  Keep patties on parchment paper and spray or drizzle with olive oil and bake for 25-30 minutes.  You should flip patties halfway.  Cook until crispy on outside.

SKILLET: Heat olive oil or coconut oil in skillet and cook patties until heated through.  Approximately 3 minutes each side.

Freezer Food

Cooked patties freeze well and can be thawed and eaten at a later time without heating up.  Or they can be semi-thawed and re-heated on a skillet. To re-heat, I spray skillet with coconut oil then heat patty for about 5 mins each side.

Serving Ideas

• Burger style on a bun with your favorite fixings + sweet potato fries
• “Protein Style” burger on lettuce, with tomato and avocado
• On top of a big spinach or kale salad
• Top with a fried egg for breakfast