Homemade Black Bean Burgers

I love black bean burgers and I love that I can eat them without feeling guilty AT ALL! This is a recipe I found on one of the Southbeach websites. It is really yummy!

INGREDIENTS:
1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 onion, cut into wedges
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 egg
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce (optional)
1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

DIRECTIONS:
If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F and lightly oil a baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.
In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.

If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

My favorite way to eat a black bean burger is with a slice of low-fat swiss cheese, some sliced avocado, lettuce and tomato. Eat it with or without a whole wheat bun!

Other topping ideas: sauteed onions, spicy BBQ sauce, any low-fat cheese, steak sauce, mustard, low-fat mayo, ketchup, pickles, etc.

James loves Pepper Jack cheese and jalepenos.