Veggie Bean Burgers

Name: Veggie Bean Burgers
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup uncooked long grain brown rice; 1 cup water; 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce; 3 teaspoons ground cumin; 3 teaspoons chili powder; 1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1-1/2 cups Fiber One bran cereal; 1 medium green pepper, coarsely chopped; 1 medium onion, quartered; 3/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese; 8 whole wheat hamburger buns, split and warmed; Optional: Lettuce leaves, tomato slices and sliced onion

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. Broil: 15 min. YIELD: 8 servings.

Even though the preparation for this meal seems time-consuming on a busy night, it's so worth it. The recipe will leave you with plenty of leftovers so you won't have to do any cooking the next night. These also beat the veggie burgers from the freezer section. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

Ingredients

1/2 cup uncooked long grain brown rice
1 cup water
2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce
3 teaspoons ground cumin
3 teaspoons chili powder
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups Fiber One bran cereal
1 medium green pepper, coarsely chopped
1 medium onion, quartered
3/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
6 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
8 whole wheat hamburger buns, split and warmed
Optional: Lettuce leaves, tomato slices and sliced onion

Directions

1. Preheat broiler. In a small saucepan, combine rice and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, 30-40 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, mash beans until almost smooth; stir in eggs, pepper sauce and seasonings. Pulse bran cereal in a food processor until finely ground; remove to a small bowl. Pulse vegetables and garlic in food processor until finely chopped; add to bean mixture. Add cheese and cooked rice to food processor; pulse to blend, then add to bean mixture. Stir in ground cereal.
3. Shape mixture into eight 1/2-in.-thick patties; place on a greased foil-lined baking sheet. Broil 4-6 in. from heat until browned, 6-8 minutes per side. Serve in buns. If desired, top with lettuce, tomato and onion.

Nutrition Facts

1 burger: 334 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 814mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 15g fiber), 16g protein.