"Have it your way" Black Bean Burgers

 Today was a blister, 90 degrees and humid. And as I headed to the market for a giant watermelon, to stuff myself with, I had to divert my car from every road that would take me to my favorite burger joint: The Apple Pan. You see, if I go to The Apple Pan I will get a burger. If I get a burger; I will get fries. If I get fries, I will most certainly get a slice of chocolate pie. Which is probably why I want to go there in the first place. unfortunately, Thursday at noon does not warrant such behavior. Not this week.

Thankfully, my diversion was a success, leading me to circle the infamous Whole Foods parking lot and giving me enough time to plan my lunch, make a mental shopping list, answer a phone call, text a friend, and even wave to someone I knew.  The parking lot is a virtual office. You can get stuff done!

So, I grabbed my shopping wheels, chose a giant watermelon and asked someone to load it into my cart, limited right hand, and cruised the meat department; still looking for burgers. And that's when I overheard someone talking about the mind blowing black bean burgers they made for dinner and how easy they were to make, and how healthy they were... SOLD. I grabbed a sandwich roll, an avocado, a tomato, and a can of black beans and headed home. 

Black Bean Burgers

Chock full of farmers market vegetables the burgers almost made me forget about The Apple Pan. They took all of ten minutes to cook and all of five minutes to enjoy.

I suggest adding anything you like: left over vegetables diced up, quinoa, brown rice, potato, whatever you have. I had fresh corn, red onion and carrots, all of which pair well with black beans, and I even threw in some kale. 

Dice one small onion, a carrot and a big hand-full of kale 

Saute in olive oil or butter, or both, and season with salt, pepper, a teaspoon of cumin, red pepper flakes

Add a scratch or two of garlic and one ear of fresh corn

put everything in a large bowl

mash and taste for seasoning

add one egg to combine all the ingredients

scoop a half cup of the black beans into a hot skillet and gently form a patty with the tines of a fork

cook over low heat

3 minutes on each side

toast the bun alongside the burger

crown with avocado and tomato and any dressing you like