Omnivore Challenge: "Tom Selleck Black Bean Burgers" and Hand-cut Fries

"Tom Selleck Black Bean Burgers"

and Hand-cut Fries

Last night I made black bean burgers for dinner for Lovely Carnivorous Boyfriend and myself, which we ate rather aggressively and with no concern for moderation. With crumbs left on the plate, I asked LCBF what he thought.  "Very good! They're the Tom Selleck of black bean burgers," he said. What's a Tom Selleck black bean burger, one might ask? "Veggie burgers that don't threaten your masculinity," he clarified. So there you have it.

Recipes appropriate for manly mustachioed men after the jump:

"Tom Selleck Black Bean Burgers"

(adapted slightly from Mark Bittman's recipe for bean burgers in HTCEV)

Serves 3-4 (makes about 6 burgers)

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 egg

1 onion, coarsely chopped

about 1/2 c. oats

1 c. sharp cheddar cheese

scant tbl. chili powder

salt & pepper

water as needed

olive oil for frying

Put the beans, egg, onion, oats, cheese, chili powder, and salt & pepper in a food processor bowl. Process until everything is combined and moist (but not soupy).  Add water to thin if necessary (most of the time I don't need to add anything, but last night I did--I think it was the cheese, which I don't always use). Stick the whole bowl in the fridge to rest for a few minutes and clean up a bit.

Remove bowl from fridge and shape mixture into patties with wet hands, placing them on parchment (or wax paper or foil) on a baking sheet. Stick the baking sheet in the fridge to rest for a few minutes. Fix your burger toppings. I sliced up a tomato and avocado.

Heat a couple of tbl. of olive oil in a pan over med. heat and cook the burgers until crisp on the outside--about 5 min. on each side.

Serve on buns with fixins' and fries . . .

Hand-cut Fries

(Courtesy of LCBF who made these delicious fries while I cooked the burgers)

Russet Potatoes (we used one for 2 people)

Sea Salt

Vegetable oil for frying

Par-cook the potato either by boiling or in the microwave. Peeling is optional. Cut potato into 1/2" strips

Heat about 1/2" of vegetable oil in a sauce pan over med-high heat. When hot (you can test the oil by adding a small piece of potato to see if it starts bubbling) add the potatoes in batches and fry until golden brown--about 2 min.

Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Toss with sea salt to taste. 

Overall, it was a pretty awesome meal, which seemed far more decadently unhealthy than it really was. LCBF noted that with the avocado the burger was especially creamy, which made it seem like it was topped with lots of cheese even though it wasn't. LCBF's verdict? "Even my [very carnivorous] dad would like these." Hurray!