The 'ista strikes again!

So, ever since last week when I let the sous chef outta the bag about me having a love affair with all things kitchen, I've been on a recipe rampage searching for noms to share with the world.

Well this weekend, I just may have made the perfect one! Or three, in the case of these black bean burgers that likely could've fed a small family.

I, of course, ate them in under 10 minutes and had dessert. Omnom Fat Bastard, hey howyadurrin.

I've gotta preface by saying that I, bean lover of all bean lovers and perhaps the only person in the world who scarfs down multiple bean burritos when I go to Taco Hell, married a man who doesn't like beans.

He says he'll eat them if they're all separated, like in the Chicken Tortilla Soup, but refry those suckers or put 'em in patty form, and he's all, "You're a weirdo. You better not fart up the bed later."

And then I do. Sorry, I never claimed to be a lady. More like a pubescent 13-year-old boy who cackles at fart noises. Jena, join me?

So, needless to say, I enjoy the deliciousness that is Black Bean Burgers all by my lonesome mosta the time. And my A-OKness with that is just ridiculous, because I can absolutely destroy some bean patties. MMM appetizing, eh?

I'd printed this recipe off of Dr. Oz's blog in September, and have zero excuse as to why it took me so damn long to make these. Also, Dr. Oz is God. If you're gonna stick around this blog, we need to establish that right here right nah.

Moving on...  The official name for these thangs is "Sunny Bean Burgers," but I {a} read the ingredient list incorrectly, and {b} love black beans, so I've renamed them,

Black Bean Burgers so good you'll say WOOHOOOOOO!

Also, as a warning, I never follow recipes. It's a sickness. My tweaks are in pretty parenths. {}

Ingredients

1/4 C sunflower seeds {calls for raw but I used salted. Honeybadger don't care!}

2 C cooked or canned red or pink beans {I used 1 can black beans, rinsed & drained.}

1/2 C chopped/minced onion

2 Tbsp. ketchup {I hate ketchup but Trader Joe's organic is actually yummy.}

1 Tbsp. wheat germ or old fashioned rolled oats {on cereal aisle in grocery store}

1/2 tsp. chili powder {Don't measure, just shake 'til your little heart's content.}

Directions

Now listen here, y'all. The directions call for making these in the oven and the baking time is about 35 minutes. Ain't nobody got time for that! I was hungry, so I did my three patties in a grill pan on the stove for about 15 minutes, and they were still somethin' to write home blog about. But if you prefer the oven, Steps 1&3 are the deats on that method:

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil/Pam spray a baking sheet. I highly suggest using nonstick aluminum foil on baking sheets; and by highly, I mean always.

* Chop the sunflower seeds in a food processor or hand chopper until just rough. Mash the beans in the food processor or with a potato masher and mix with sunflower seeds. Mix in the remaining ingredients and form into uniform patties. {This step confused me ~ do I mix everything in the food processor or just the beans and seeds and then put it all in a bowl? I vote easy clean-up, so all into the Ninja it went!}

* Place the patties on your baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully flip patties so undone side is facing up. Place back in oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until the outside is a bit crispy and it's all patty-like :)  We use fancy words on this blog, y'all.

I ate my "burgers" bunless and topped with fresh salsa and dipped my bites in plain Greek yogurt ~ it tastes JUST like sour cream and is so much healthier. Trust me on this one, give it a try! I can also picture the patties crumbled up in a pseudo-burrito-bowl with rice, avocado, cheese, etc. 

But the next way I'm fo freaking shizz gonna eat these, because I will be making them again, is on my favorite Avocado+Sriracha+S&P+Lime toast!

Healthy Ezekiel bread smeared with a whole ripe avocado and any toppings you'd like, especially a black bean burger.

For my other favorite, slightly more involved, black bean burger recipe, click here.

Happy cookin', y'all! {That's me channeling Paula. Minus the butter. And the multi-million dollar food empire.}