Bean Burgers with Spicy Guacamole

Categories: Dinner; Burgers

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 1/2 cooked pinto beans, well drained
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground toasted cumin seeds
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 tablespoons cornmeal, plus 1/3 cup for coating burgers
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• 6 whole-wheat hamburger buns (toasted)
• 6 lettuce leaves
• 6 tomato slices
• Guacamole
• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped red onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add quinoa and return to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer, cover, and cook until the water has been absorbed, about 10 minutes. Uncover and let stand.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add beans, paprika, and ground cumin and mash the beans to a smooth paste with a potato masher or fork. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let cool slightly. Add the quinoa, 3 tablespoons cilantro, 3 tablespoons cornmeal, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper; stir to combine.

3. Form the bean mash into 6 patties. Coat them evenly with the remaining 1/3 cup cornmeal and transfer to a baking sheet. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

4. To prepare guacamole: Mash avocado with a potato masher or fork. Stir in 2 tablespoons cilantro, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons onion, garlic, cayenne, and 1/8 teaspoon salt.

5. eheat oven to 200.

6. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook 3 burgers until heated through and brown and crisp on both sides, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to the oven to keep warm. Cook the remaining 3 burgers with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, reducing the heat as necessary to prevent over-browning. Serve the burgers on buns with lettuce, tomato, and the guacamole.

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