White Bean and Greens Burger

The longer I cook, the more it takes to impress me, which is probably the reason the posts on this blog have gotten fewer and fewer. With over 800 posts (!!) there is not that much new for me to write about, but I keep trying. So this one was a real shocker for me.

Who would have thought that white beans, garlic and sauteed greens could taste so good?! This burger came together out of a need to use up what was in the fridge, but now I go out of my way to make it. I am still a bit dumbfounded.

Any greens will do - my first go was with steamed radish greens - and whether you make your beans from scratch and add in some cloves of garlic when you cook the beans or use bean from a can, this burger is still great. It might be the chipotle mayo that brings it all together, but whatever the reason, this burger is better than the sum of its parts!

White Bean and Greens Burger

(makes 4-5)

1 cup cooked white beans, drained but reserve 1-2 tablespoons liquid

1/2 cup cooked soft greens (swiss chard, spinach, beet greens, radish greens)

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup fine bread crumbs

1 clove garlic, minced (if you cook your beans with garlic, omit it here)

salt

pepper

oil for frying

Chipotle Mayo

1 teaspoon chipotle sauce (from Chipotle in adobo or make your own)

1 tablespoon mayonaise 

Mince cooked greens and add to a bowl along with beans. Mash beans and greens together and season with salt (you will season with salt as you go since beans, greens and breadcrumbs will all absorb salt). Add egg, garlic (if using), and breadcrumbs and mix together well. Taste for salt and add more if needed. If the mixture looks a little dry, add in reserved bean liquid 1 teaspoon at a time until the mixture is firm but not sticky. Add pepper to taste and form into balls. At this point you can refrigerate in a sealed container if you want to make them in advance.

Heat skillet over medium heat for 4 minutes. Add oil to thinly coat bottom and place burger balls in pan, flattening them gently with the palm of your hand. Fry until golden brown on each side. Serve with chipotle mayo on toasted buns.

Hugs!