Happy St. "Patties" Day!

Photo courtesy of graceismine from allrecipes.com.

 Is there a better way to celebrate than digging into a burger? Try a meat-free patty and go really green this St. Patrick's Day.

Black Bean Veggie Burger
This recipe is tried and true - a family favourite!

Ingredients

• 2 16-ounce cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
  
• 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
  
• 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
  
• 1/2 onion, cut into wedges
  
• 3 cloves of garlic, peeled
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1 tbsp chili or chipotle powder
  
• 1 tbsp cumin
  
• 1 tsp Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
  
• 3/4 cup bread crumbs
  
• Handful of fresh coriander, chopped
  
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill to high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.
   
2. In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
   
3. Sauté the peppers, onion, and spices, then add them to the mashed beans.
   
4. Stir the eggs into the mashed bean mixture. Mix in the bread crumbs, coriander and hot sauce until the mixture is sticky and holds together.
   
5. Divide into 4-6 patties.
   
6. If grilling, place patties on foil and grill for about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes on each side.
   
7. Serve either on a bun or on its own with sour cream, avocado, and salsa. Sweet potato fries make a great side dish.
   
   

For a hint of sweetness and southwest flavour, try adding corn!

Mushroom Burgers
A slightly more sophisticated burger with Italian flavours.
Ingredients

• Butter or olive oil for sautéing
  
• 4 medium Portobello mushrooms, chopped
  
• 2 tbsp of finely chopped onion
  
• 1 tsp of thyme leaves
  
• 1 can of white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  
• 1/4 cup of bread crumbs
  
• 1 egg
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
  
• Several grinds of pepper
  
  

Directions

1. Put butter or olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté the mushrooms, onions, and thyme together until the mushrooms are golden brown. Leave the mixture to cool.
   
2. Put half the can of kidney beans in a bowl and mash. Add the rest of the beans, but leave them whole.
   
3. Add the egg, salt and pepper and mix.
   
4. Add the mushrooms and the breadcrumbs and mix with your hands until the mixture sticks together.
   
5. Divide the mixture into 4 or 5 portions, depending on desired size. Form each portion into a patty and wrap with cling film. Place them in the fridge to harden a little.
   
6. Sauté the burgers with a bit of butter and serve.