Tuesday, August 6, 2013

White Bean Burgers with Garlic and Scallions

We're currently in eat-everything-in-the-house-before-we-leave-for-two-weeks mode. And the best ingredient to start a "dump" meal, in my opinion, is with a can of beans. Because, who doesn't have beans in their pantry? They're an easy protein to turn into a satisfying - and affordable - meal.

Here are some of my favorite meals that have started with a can of beans:

-Spicy Tofu Tacos with Corn and Black Bean Salsa
-Curry Hummus
-Black Bean and Pumpkin Chili
-White Bean, Ricotta, and Pesto Pizza
-Indian-Style Chickpeas and Potatoes
-Homemade Black Bean Burgers

And now, I have a new one to add to this line-up: these White Bean Burgers with Garlic and Scallions. I made these spicy and savory burgers the other day - on IPA day - so we could pair them with a glass of Heady Topper. Let's just say, the pairing was a successful one!

Please excuse the mediocre photo...

White Bean Burgers with Garlic and Scallions
Yields: 3 medium-sized burgers
-1 15 ounce can small white beans, drained and rinsed
-2 cloves garlic, chopped
-1 egg
-1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
-1/4 cup chopped scallions
-Generous pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)
-1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
-Salt and black pepper, to taste
-Squirt of lemon juice
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-3 slices of cheddar (we used spicy Buffalo Wing Cheddar - highly recommend it!)
-3 hamburger buns
-Arugula and tomato slices for garnish (or, whatever you desire)

Directions:
1.) Place beans and garlic in a food processor; pulse until mostly smooth.
2.) Pour beans and garlic in a medium-sized bowl. Add remaining ingredients (up until olive oil) and stir, ensuring mixture is well combined.
3.) Form bean mixture into 3 patties. Put patties on a plate and cover with plastic wrap; place in fridge for 30 minutes to allow flavors to combine.
4.) Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot, add burgers and cook for about 3-5 minutes on each side, or until browned and burgers are cooked through. Top burgers with cheese when there is about 1 minute of cooking time left.
5.) Place burgers on buns and top with arugula and tomato. Enjoy!

[Print this recipe]

These burgers were full of flavor thanks to the garlic, but also had a great bite of spice from the scallions and crushed red pepper. It's amazing what a can of beans can turn into!

Do you have a favorite recipe that involves beans? If so, what is it?


6 comments:

  1. I agree - beans make such a great pantry meal! We make a lot of white bean veggie burgers with whatever we have on hand. This sounds like it would be amazing with that buffalo cheddar!

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    1. The buffalo cheddar was definitely a good addition!

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  2. I love bean burgers, and these look healthy and delicious!

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  3. These sound so flavorful! I love making pasta fagioli with white beans.

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    Replies
    1. Yum! I never think to make that, for some crazy reason.

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  4. YUM! I love black bean burgers, but I never thought of trying white bean burgers before. Now I totally will.

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