Black Bean Burger with Corn Salsa

       Amazing. Totally amazing. I loved this burger. I don't eat ground beef, not because of any reason other than I do not like it Sam-I-Am. Even as a little lady I never jumped on the ground beef train. I would whine and complain each time my mom made something with ground beef. As a teen I learned to avoid it, I would eat everything, but the ground beef. As an adult I have tried it on numerous occasions and with each try I still do not enjoy it. I eat beef steaks, prime rib, roasts...but ground beef is not for me. 
      I don't want you to think that these awesome burgers are only for vegetarians or ground beef haters. Even my husband, a burger connoisseur really liked these black bean burgers. The burgers are dense and substantial. The fresh corn salsa is crisp and bright compared to the dense, almost soft, burger. The salsa is fresh and really makes all the burger flavors POP in your mouth. The flavors from the burger and the corn salsa were M.F.E.O. (from a classic and favorite movie Sleepless in Seattle...Made for each other).
     If these burgers find themselves at your next family dinner, prepare for a quiet meal. Because...you can't stop eating them.

    I plated these burgers sans bun (because I try to limit my wheat consumption), but feel free to place these wonderful patties in between a delicious bun. Make sure to top the burgers with a little pepper-jack cheese and the corn salsa. I found a Pepper-Jack Yogurt Cheese at Trader Joes that I used instead of regular cheese. Because it was made with yogurt it didn't have the lactose that my body does not like. Use any kind of cheese that you enjoy.


Black Bean Burger
adapted from Jason Merryweather, Harvest Restaurant


3 (15 oz) can cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
3/4 cup mayonnaise (use more or less, personal preference)
1/2 cup small diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup small diced yellow onion
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
kosher salt and black pepper to taste
6 pieces of cheese (I used Pepper-Jack)
6 buns


Blend a little more than half the beans in the food processor until smooth.
Combine the whole black beans and all other ingredients. Carefully, mix in smooth black beans until mixture is desired texture. Hand mix adding water or panko to reach a stable mixture.


Divide into about 6 portions and make into patties. Cook on a griddle or saute pan on medium heat until hot inside. While warm top with cheese. Remove and place on bun and serve with corn salsa on top.


Corn Salsa
2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
1/2 small red onion, diced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 jalapeno, minced (seeds and ribs removed for milder taste)
1 lime, juiced
1 tomato, diced small
salt and pepper to taste


Add all ingredients in a bowl. Mix and season to taste. Top burgers with salsa.