Black Bean and Brown Rice Veggie Burgers

I love how every veggie burger tastes different.

I bet I could have one three days in a row and not get tired of them at all because each one tastes different.  Some are sweeter, some more savoury.  It all depends on what's in the burger and how it's cooked.

For example, this veggie burger isn't even a veggie burger at all!  Sure, it's vegetarian and has prunes, carrots, and onions, but really, the stars in these burgers are black beans and rice (that's right, yet another recipe that goes against my bean hatred)

I've actually never mastered a real veggie burger.  You know, the kind that actually looks like a burger - with grill marks and all - and is packed with vegetables.  But, these burgers might actually be better than the frozen kinds you buy at Trader Joes.

And I'm not even a vegetarian.

Black Bean and Brown Rice Veggie Burgers
(you can find the original recipe here)

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey (or agave)
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 2 tbsp hoisin
• 1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice (1/2 cup uncooked)
• 15 oz can black beans, drained, rinsed and diced
• 1 tsp oil
• 1/2 onion, minced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup carrots, finely diced
• 1/4-1/2 cup wheat bran
• 6 prunes, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ancho chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• cracked pepper
• 1 tsp cumin

1. In a small bowl combine soy, honey, molasses, and hoisin to make basting sauce.
2. In a large bowl combine diced black beans and cooked rice.
3. Pour oil into skillet.  Saute onions and garlic on medium heat until soft and the pan is dry.
4. Add onions, carrots, 1/4 cup wheat bran, minced prunes, and spices to bean mixture.  Stir to combine.
5. Evaluate how well your veggie mixture holds into patties.  If the mixture seems too dry or chunky, add basting sauce by the teaspoon until moist enough to stick.  If the mixture seems too wet, add a bit more oat bran.
6. Shape veggie mixture into 4-6 patties and place on squares of wax paper.  Chill patties at least one hour (i chilled for less, because of short time, and they sort of fell apart, but still tasted fine)
7. To cook, brush patties with basting sauce and place on a hot grill or skillet.  Cook about 5 minutes then bast again and gently flip.
8. Cook about 5 more minutes and then gently remove burgers to serving plate.  

Whether you're a vegetarian or just like a good non-meat burger once in a while you should definitely add these burgers to your list of recipes to try.  Remember, sometimes just because something doesn't look good, doesn't mean it can't taste great!

Citrus Tofu with Stir-Fried Veggies over Brown Rice

I recently discovered tofu.

Sure, I had heard of it before, but it was always described as some icky food that no one should never volutarily go near.  You know, like liver.

Then i took a trip to California.  I swear that place is like the home of all vegans.  Every resturant had some sort of tofu dish, and one night i went out on a limb and ordered one.  Guess what?  I really liked it.

So, i decided to make a vow to eat tofu at home too.  And this dish is part of my vow.

Citrus Flavored Tofu with Stir-Fried Vegetables and Brown Rice


For the tofu:
2 cups of firm or extra-firm tofu cubes (patted/pressed dry with paper towel)
1 1/2 Tbsp safflower oil for sauté
1 Tbsp maple syrup
1/4 cup orange juice
1/8 tsp orange zest
1 1/2 tsp soy sauce


1.  Combine maple syrup, orange juice, orange zest, and soy sauce in bowl.  For extra flavor you can marinate the tofu cubes in the mixture for at least an hour – or overnight. If marinating overnight, add in another 1/4 cup orange juice.
2.  Add the oil to a sauté pan. When oil is hot, add in the tofu. Allow to sear on one side.  This should take around 2 minutes 
3.  Add in 2 tbsp of the liquid mixture. Reduce heat if the pan is over-sizzling. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes. Flip tofu as needed. Add the remaining liquid and sauté with movement to reduce the liquid. Continue sautéing until the tofu is crispy golden. 
4.  Add salt or pepper to taste if you want.


For the veggies:

I was pressed for time and cheated by just using a frozen stir-fried vegetable mix.  It tasted fine to me, but if you would rather make the veggies yourself just use whatever you like best.  The options are endless!

For the rice:

Cook it normally.  Nothing special here.

So there you go.  My vow to eat tofu at home as been fullfilled.  But that doesn't mean i'll stop making it!  It was delicious.  I encourage anyone (even someone who isn't so sure about tofu) to make it.