Cilantro Black Bean Burgers

Original recipe from Sarah.

Ingredients:

Burgers:

• olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 t cumin
• 1 1/2 c black beans, soaked and cooked (or 1 can)
• 1 1/4 cups cooked brown rice
• 1-2 c bread crumbs or quick oats
• 2 t lemon juice
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/2 t pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Cilantro-Lime Mayo:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 t lemon juice
• 2 T finely chopped cilantro
• 1/2 t cumin
• Pepper to taste

Directions: 

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and saute about 5 min. Add garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper and saute an additional 2 min. Scrape mixture into a large bowl. Add black beans, brown rice, 1 c bread crumbs, lemon juice, and cilantro, mash (a pastry blender works great for this).  Alternatively, combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until beans are chopped, but not pureed.
2. Create patties by using an old peanut butter lid (or the like) lined with plastic wrap.  Choose a smallish lid--these patties are more filling than actual hamburger.  Mash mixture into the lid, then turn over onto a plastic-wrap lined tray.  If the mixture is too moist to form patties, add more breadcrumbs.  These patties can now be sealed in the plastic wrap and frozen or cooked.  
3. To cook: heat oil in a skillet set over medium heat. Add the burgers and cook for 4 minutes per side, or until a good crust forms.  Bear in mind these burgers will not hold together as well as beef.  
4. Serve on buns with greens, tomatoes, sprouts, cilantro-lime mayo, mustard, and other favorite burger toppings.  Also try the spicy bean burger.