Black Bean Burgers with a Tropical Twist

At Sutton's Marketplace in Queensbury, just south of Lake George, my sister Ginny and I often order the black bean burger.  They serve it with sweet, grilled onions on their own grilled cheddar bread smeared with spicy mayo.  It is outrageoulsy delicious. 

I was thinking of traditional Father's Day recipes, and came across this enthusiastically reviewed black bean burger from tasteofhome.com.   I know many dads would not even consider a meatless burger, but read the reviews and consider something different, if not for Father's Day, then any other evening when you want something full of flavor that  you can feel good about, or as an additional option for your vegetarian friends who usually have to settle for everything but the entree!  This time, they can have something to sink their teeth into, too!

TROPICAL BLACK BEAN BURGER
(original recipe from tasteofhome.com)

Ingredients

    2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
    1 medium red onion, finely chopped
    2 eggs, beaten
    1/2 cup panko (Japanese) bread crumbs
    1/2 cup crushed baked tortilla chip scoops
    1/3 cup chopped green pepper
    1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
    1 teaspoon ground cumin
    1 teaspoon chili powder
    1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
    1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
    4 teaspoons chopped green onion
    4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    2 teaspoons honey
    1-1/2 teaspoons orange juice
    1/2 teaspoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
    6 slices unsweetened pineapple
    6 whole wheat hamburger buns, split

In a large bowl, mash beans. Add the red onion, eggs, bread crumbs, chips, green pepper, cilantro, cumin, chili powder and pepper sauce.  Shape into six patties. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
   
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, green onion, mustard, honey, orange juice and soy sauce; refrigerate until serving. Using long-handled tongs, dip a paper towel in cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 3-5 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 160°.

Grill or broil pineapple slices for 2-3 minutes on each side or until heated through. Place burgers and pineapple on buns; top each with 1 rounded tablespoon of sauce. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 burger equals 357 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 73 mg cholesterol, 807 mg sodium, 65 g carbohydrate, 11 g fiber, 14 g protein.

One year ago today:  GNI and Spinach Salad

Photo credit:  http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Grilled-Black-Bean-and-Pineapple-Burgers/Print
Original recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Grilled-Black-Bean-and-Pineapple-Burgers