Easy Peasy Spicy Bean Burgers

So I was free-styling a mean for the end of the week, as I usually crash in from work and just want junk food, but in this time of resolutions (Such as the one I made to lose some weight, but horror-of-horrors this might mean cutting down on beer, and me with lots of exciting home brew ideas to try...) I wanted something a bit healthier.

And so I thought - bean burgers - they are pretty healthy, right?  And they must be easy to make too, right?  And you know what, I was right, and guess what also, they are tasty too.  So if you are looking for an alternative to meaty snacks, why not make some of these, freeze them and then dig them out when you need a meal in a hurry!

Ingredients


2 Tins of beans (I used chickpeas, but kidney, black, or any other variety are good too)
2 Onions - Finely chopper
2 Cloves Garlic
A good handful of fresh coriander
1tsp Cumin
1/2tsp Chili Powder
Some cream crackers
Salt and pepper


Method
Fry the onions until they brown slightly.  Put them in a food mixer with the (drained) beans, garlic, coriander and spices, then season to taste.  Blitz the mixture until it turns into a thick and fairly smooth paste.

In a pestle and mortar, crush the crackers, and add them a bit at a time, to the bean paste, until it thickens up.  The number of crackers needed will vary depending on consistency of the bean mixture, bu you are looking for a firm texture, so the burgers don't fall apart when you cook them.

Once you have the right texture, leave the mixture to stand for 10 minutes, then form into patties - the recipe should make six to eight, depending on how small you want them.  Then you can either freeze them for later, fry or grill them (Frying works best, but grilling is more healthy...)

Serve however you like your burgers - I like mine smothered in full fat mayo and lots of cheese.  Hmmm, so much for that diet idea then...

Enjoy!