Bean Burgers

Better Bean Burgers

(found on wholefoodmommies.com)

Ingredients

1 can Pinto Beans (rinsed& drained)

1 can Black Beans (rinsed& drained)

1 pepper, minced (I prefer to use a yellow or red, but a green bell pepper works great)

1/4 medium onion, minced

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

3 TBS organic ketchup

1-2 TBS organic mustard

1 TBS Wheat Germ (heaping)

1/4 cup sunflower seeds,ground

1 egg (OPTIONAL)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350degrees. Saute the pepper, onion and garlic until slightly soft (using a small amount of oil). Mash the beans with a potato masher or in a food processor (leave slightly chunky). Add the saute mixer to the beans along with the ketchup, mustard, and wheat germ and mix together until smooth. If you want to add an egg to help the burgers stay together, fold the egg after everything is mixed.

Drop the mixture onto a greased cookie sheet into approx. 9 patties. The consistency of the mixture will be slightly wet so the patties will not form easily. Drop the mixture into the shape as best as you can.

Bake for 25 minutes and remove from oven to let cool slightly. Then flip each pattie over and bake them for 10 more minutes.

Serve on top of whole wheat buns and add all your desired toppings. The patties themselves taste really good, but I find my family likes them so much more if we have all of the fun toppings.

This was not one of our most favorite meals, but still definitely a good, healthy option. We will make it again! :)

*Update - We had the leftover bean burgers tonight, and we used organic, non-dairy Ranch dressing and BBQ sauce instead of mustard and ketchup. (Watch out - most BBQ sauces and ketchups have high fructose corn syrup!)  It made a big difference!  It tasted much better and extra special!  I would recommend using as well! :)