Black Bean Veggie Burgers

Black Bean Veggie Burgers

6 oz prepared rice
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped carrot
1 tbsp olive oil
15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup quick cook oatmeal
1 large egg, beaten
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground chili powder
1 tsp chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
cooking spray
buns
burger toppings

1. Cook rice and let cool.
2. Cook veggies (onion, celery, carrot) in oil over medium heat. Set aside.
3. Place 1/2 of beans in large bowl and mash completely. Add remainder of black beans, corn, garlic, oatmeal, egg and spices. Mix well.
4. Stir in cooled rice, cooked veggies, chipotle pepper, salt and pepper.
5. Form 6 patties (about 1/2 cup mix per patty). Place on tray, cover, and chil for at least 10 minutes.
6. Spray a skillet with non-stick spray and cook patties over medium heat about 5 minutes per side.
7. Serve with toppings.

Notes: Making the patties is a PAIN. The way I do it to avoid nasty hands is by tearing off 6 sheets of saran wrap, putting a scoop of burger mix on each one, and then shaping each into a patty inside the wrap. I freeze half of them for later and refrigerate the other half for dinner. This way I can make two meals in one. We like them best with homemade guacamole and chihuahua cheese! I really thought these would be disgusting the first time I tried them; but it's currently one of our favorite meals!