Black Bean Beet Burgers

I give you, the worlds healthiest burger!  They're packed full of nutrient rich foods like walnuts, quinoa, mushrooms, beets and black beans, and are perfectly flavored with my favorite spices; cumin and chili powder. The beets also give these patties such a beautiful color.  

They're also flavorful and hearty, and should definitely take care of your burger fix!

INGREDIENTS:

- 3/4 cup cooked quinoa (I like this kind)

- 1 tablespoon extra virgin coconut oil

- 1 medium red onion, finely diced (about 3/4 cup)

- 1 cup mushrooms (white button, baby bella or shitake), finely diced

- 1 15oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed well

- 1 cup grated raw beets (peel and rinse beets, then grate in a cheese grater).  Careful, beets can stain!

- 1 teaspoon cumin

- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (add more if you want a spicy burger)

- 1/4 teaspoon paprika

- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste), plus more for sprinkling

- Optional: Worcestershire sauce, to taste

- 1/2 cup raw walnuts (preferably soaked and dehydrated)

- extra virgin olive oil, to brush tops with

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Cook quinoa according to package instructions.  Set aside.

2.  Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add coconut oil.  Once hot, add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, or until soft.  Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.

3.  Turn heat up to medium and add the mushrooms, and cook until slightly browned and fragrant, about 3 minutes.

4.  Remove from heat and add black beans and roughly mash (I use a potato masher).  Transfer mixture into a medium-sized bowl and add the quinoa, beets, cumin, chili powder, paprika and salt.  Add a few shakes of worcestershire if desired.

5.  Place walnuts in a small food processor, and blend into a loose meal.  Alternatively you could finely chop them.  Add walnut meal to mixture.

6.  Place mixture in fridge for a few minutes to chill while you preheat the oven to 375 degrees, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

7.  Form mixture into patties.  I use a peanut butter jar lid lined with plastic wrap.  Just pack the mixture tightly into the lid, then remove your perfectly sized, and shaped patties.  Place patties on baking sheet, and brush tops with olive oil.  

8.  Bake for 40-45 minutes, carefully flipping at the half-way mark.

9.  Serve warm patties on top of homemade or store-bought gluten-free hamburger buns, with your favorite toppings (I like tomato, lettuce, avocado, and good quality ketchup and mustard.  Or simply just eat them bun-less!

10.  Enjoy!

Makes approximately 7-8 patties

(Adapted recipe from here)