Pinto Bean Burgers

I like to make veggie burgers for Josh and I often, because they're filling and go great on buns or on salads.  This one is really delicious and covered in seeds, and it's super easy to make!

Pinto Bean Burgers

Ingredients

• 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup basil, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup ground chia seeds
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds
• 2 - 3 tbs oil for frying

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F)
2. In a large fry pan, heat oil to medium heat.
3. In a food processor, combine pinto beans, rice, peppers, onion, basil and garlic.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the chia seeds and water.
5. In a large bowl, combine bean mixture with chia mixture.  
6. Fold in flour and sesame seeds.
7. Form bean mixture into patties.
8. Once oil is hot, pan fry patties for 2 minutes on each side.
9. Set on paper towel to drain, then transfer to a baking dish.
10. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
11. If you want to skip the frying, add another 10 minutes to the bake.
12. Serve on your favorite bun!

Bean burgers are great, because you can make them ahead of time and freeze them.  They're easy to take out for a quick dinner.  We make them a lot.

This would work well with all sorts of different beans, also.  You could use some of your leftover crock pot black beans for a spicy flavor.

Of course, we served these up with a big dinner salad on a nice, warm bun.  They would be great on a bed of greens, too.

Hope you enjoy!