Black Bean and Rice Burgers

My refrigerator is in a sad state right now. Honestly, I should probably go to the grocery store once I am finished with this blog...

This recipe is of the random-pantry-items variety--at least for me. I almost always have at least one can of black beans, some rice, an onion, and certain condiments...even if I don't have much of anything else.

So, for the barren days like this one, black bean and rice burgers are the answer!!



1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 and a 1/2 tsp Ener G Egg replacer and 2 tbl of water, lightly beaten (equivalent to 1 egg)
two chopped chipotle peppers
2 TB of the adobo sauce
handful of Glutino bread crumbs
bun/bread of choice (I used Food For Life English Muffins)

lettuce/leafy green of choice (I like arugula because it's a spicy green, and I thought it would mesh well with this recipe)
cheese product of choice (almond pepperjack cheese was money!)

1/4 cup Veganaise
4 tbl chunky salsa

In a bowl, mash the black beans with a fork. Add the rice, onion, egg replacer, chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and breadcrumbs. Mix well. Drop by 1/2 cupfuls into a skillet coated with olive oil, or oil product of choice. Flatten with a spatula to roughly 1/2-in. thickness. Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until the first side is firm and browned. Flip, then top with cheese slices so it can melt while the other side is cooking. While the burger is grilling would be a good time to grill, or toast your burger bun.

In a small bowl, combine veganaise and salsa. Place lettuce on the bun, followed by a burger and cheese, and top with salsa/veganaise mixture. Garnish with a touch of parsley.

The recipe that inspired this one can be found here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/black-bean-rice-burgers/detail.aspx (however, I have changed it to almost unrecognizable)