SPICY BLACK BEAN BURGER WITH SWEET POTATO CHIPS

Beans are an excellent source of protein and fiber. While you may have enjoyed beans prepared in a pot or slow cooker, if you have yet to experience a bean burger, consider trying this delectable spicy black bean burger. It offers a satisfying and flavorful meal that will make you question why you hadn't tried a bean burger sooner. This option is completely free of meat, eggs, and dairy. Homemade sweet potato chips offer a nutritious option, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They contain no artificial preservatives, flavors, or dyes. Not only are baked sweet potato chips a healthy option, they are scrumptious. Also see my recipe for baked potato chips.

Spicy Black Bean Burger with Homemade Sweet Potato Chips

Required Tools: Mandoline slicer and Potato masher.

Ingredients For Black Bean Burgers:

• 2 Cans of Organic Black Beans (rinsed and drained).

• Plain Panko Breadcrumbs 1 Cup

• 1/2 Sweet Onion (finely chopped) Can be done in a food processor.

• Chipotle Powder 2 Teaspoons

• Smoked Paprika 1 Teaspoon

• Chili Powder 1/2 Teaspoon

• Turmeric Powder 1/4 Teaspoon

• Kosher Sea Salt 1/2 Teaspoon 

• Ground Black Pepper 1/4 Teaspoon

• Minced Garlic 1 Teaspoon 

• Flaxseed 2 Tablespoons 

• Grape Seed Oil for Frying 

How To Prepare The Burgers:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a small dish, add 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed to 3 tablespoons of hot water. Stir into a gelatinous mixture and set aside. This is your binding (egg substitute).

2. Add the beans to a large bowl and mash with a potato masher, leaving some beans whole. Add all the spices, the flaxseed binder, onions, garlic, and the breadcrumbs to the bowl with the mashed beans. Mix together well. You should get 5 or 6 patties. 

3. Place the patties on the parchment lined baking sheet and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes. While the patties are chilling, toast the burger buns in the oven or in a skillet. Wrap the buns in foil and set aside.

4. When you are ready to cook the patties, drizzle a little grape seed oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Fry the patties for about 5 or 6 minutes on each side until golden brown and thoroughly heated.

5. Remove the burgers from the skillet with a spatula and place them on a wire rack.  

6. Assemble your burger on a plate, using a potato bun, brioche bun, or whole wheat bun. Add vegan mayonnaise (mixed with onion powder, chives, cilantro, dill, sage, parsley, or whatever herbs and spices you prefer) on the top and bottom buns. Add onions, avocado, tomatoes, spinach, kale, *cheese, sliced bell peppers, jalapenos, or whatever delicious toppings you like, and enjoy a tasty meat-free burger. If you do not want to use *vegan cheese, you may use a non-vegan cheddar, Gouda, Swiss, provolone, and so on. My husband prefers non-vegan cheese.

Ingredients For Sweet Potato Chips:

• 2 Medium Organic Sweet Potatoes

• Grape Seed Oil or Avocado Oil 3 Teaspoons

• Himalayan Pink Salt 1/8 Teaspoon

• Ground Cinnamon 1/8 Teaspoon (optional)

• Ground Nutmeg 1/8 Teaspoon (optional)

How To Prepare The Sweet Potato Chips:

1. Submerge the sweet potatoes in 3 parts water and 1 part distilled white vinegar for 10 to 15 minutes, scrub with a vegetable brush, and rinse with cold water. Cut the sweet potatoes into slices with a mandoline slicer, no more than 1/8 of an inch thick. Soak the sweet potato slices in ice water for 1 to 4 hours. This soak helps to remove a lot of the excess starch and sugars resulting in a crispier chip.

2. After soaking the sweet potato slices, drain and dry them thoroughly. You can lay the slices on a double layer of paper towels, over a clean dish towel, and pat them dry with paper towels. I add a little pressure as I am drying with the top paper towels. Make sure the slices are thoroughly dry.

3. Position the oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

4. Toss the sweet potato slices in a bowl with the grape seed oil or avocado oil. Be sure all the slices are coated with the oil. Lay the slices in a single layer (not overlapping) on the parchment-lined baking sheet, and sprinkle the slices with salt.

5. Bake the potato slices in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and place it on a heat-safe mat. Reduce the heat to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Using tongs, flip the chips over and rotate the pan. Place the pan back into the oven at 225 degrees F. for about 1 hour until the chips are crispy and the edges are golden brown. Oven times and temperatures vary, so watch the potatoes closely.

6. Remove the pan of chips from the oven and place it on a heat-safe mat. It's okay if they feel tender in the center. They will crisp up if you leave them on the pan for a few minutes.

7.  When the sweet potatoes first come out the oven, you can sprinkle the potatoes with cinnamon or nutmeg. If you like spicy, sprinkle with chipotle. Serve them on a plate with a dip of your choice. My dip of choice is dairy-free vanilla yogurt with a pinch of thyme and a squeeze of lemon.

Storage:

Homemade black bean burgers can be kept for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container in a fridge. They can be warmed in an oven. The burgers can be wrappped individually in freezer paper, placed in freezer bags, and frozen for up to 2 months. Homemade sweet potato chips can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for a maximum of 4 days.

Always consult your healthcare providers and/or nutritionist concerning diet changes, proper nutrition, lifestyle changes, weight loss and/or exercise programs! Many blessings on your life's journey! OLG