For meatless Mondays or any day you want a healthy meal try these smokey quinoa burgers. The Chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce coupled with a good quality smoked paprika makes these very flavorful and satisfying. I like them on a whole grain bun with avocado and sriracha sauce just as much as I like them placed on top of chopped kale salad ( yes, those prepared bagged ones are great) . OK , so I make my own beans but that's because the canned ones are full of salt and over cooked. With my Instant pot I can make beans pretty fast so why not! If you use canned beans just don't add any salt and be careful not to over mash them. Hey.. we're all busy do what you need to...no judgment here!
Smokey Quinoa Burgers
1 ½ cups cooked quinoa (I used frozen prepared with kale and garlic any flavor will work)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 whole chipotle pepper mashed , (from a can of Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce )
1 cup white beans (I use cannellini beans)
¾ cup cooked garbanzo beans
1/2 cup corn kernels, fresh not frozen (left over corn works great)
1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 cup scallions , finely sliced
1/3 cup oatmeal- rolled oats
¼ all purpose flour ( more if needed)
sea-salt & ground pepper, to taste
vegetable or olive oil to coat the skillet
Prepare your beans the day before or earlier in the day. When you are ready prepare the rest of the ingredients to mixed together, corn, scallions and red pepper. Measure out oatmeal and flour.
Mix the beans together and mash leaving some chunks of beans in the mixture. ( I like mine chunky)
Add the quinoa, paprika, chipotle pepper, corn, red pepper and scallions to the bean mash and blend well.
Add the Oat meal and flour and mix until mixture hold together. Add more flour if you are having trouble making the burger patties. I put mine in one of those burger presses and they come out super good. Remember the line the burger press with plastic warp first and the patties will pop right out!
Refrigerate the patties for 15 minutes or until ready to cook. ( you can make them up to 8 hours ahead of time)
In a large skillet or grill pan, heat oil over medium high heat. Cook patties about 4 – 5 minutes on each side.
Serve on bun with avocado and lettuce or on top of a salad with your choice of dressing!
Makes 4 patties.