Lunchbox Series - Vegetarian Black Bean Burger -

This is another Vitamix recipe, though the burger mixture can just as easily be made in any food processor. I do tend to rave about the Vitamix’s versatility and put it through all kinds of tests — and it almost always wins me over. Yes, I know I gush about it a bit, and it’s probably silly. Sadly, it can’t actually shape the patties or sauté them, as a friend jokingly pointed out. Those are still a few things it can’t do — yet. If Vitamix is listening, maybe that innovation isn’t too far off.

I packed this burger for Nikhil’s lunch, and since then, I’ve started cooking and freezing batches of beans regularly — black beans, garbanzo beans, or whatever variety I have on hand. This has become a reliable lunchbox staple and a keeper recipe in our home.

Ingredients

1 small red onion, cut in half
1–2 green chilies (Thai or serrano), depending on spice preference
A small bunch of cilantro, including some stems
3/4 to 1 cup soaked and boiled black beans (or 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed)
3/4 tsp cumin powder, or to taste
1 garlic clove
1/2 to 1 inch ginger
1/2 tsp garam masala
Salt, to taste
1 tsp olive oil
1 tbsp corn flour or rice flour
- Alternatively, use 1 tbsp flaxseed meal whisked into 1/2 cup water as a binding agent

Method

1. Start the blender on variable speed 1. Add the red onion, green chili, a handful of cilantro, ginger, and garlic. Blend until the onion is very finely chopped.

2. Add the cooked black beans and continue blending on variable speed 3–5, using the tamper if needed to mix everything evenly.

3. Add the cumin powder, salt, and garam masala, and blend briefly to combine.

4. Add the binding agent (corn flour, rice flour, or flaxseed mixture) and blend again on low to medium speed. The mixture should be coarse yet well combined, not completely smooth. You can refrigerate the mixture for a short while to help it bind better.

5. Shape the mixture into patties and cook them on a skillet until browned on both sides. Use about 1 teaspoon of olive oil to help achieve a nice golden crust.

6. Assemble the burger with your favorite condiments and place the patty in a wheat or multigrain bun or sub roll. Wrap in foil or plastic wrap and pack away for a healthy lunch.