Spicy Black Bean Burgers

{I have been wanting to make these burgers for quite some time, but I wanted to make them AWESOME! So I did a lot of research (honestly, I've read like 15 different recipes) and came up with my own recipe for what were THE most amazing black bean burgers I've ever had (Kyle whole-heartedly agrees!) This recipe is my baby...so use it well :) hehe}

You will need:

1 can of black beans (or 16 oz of homemade black beans) rinsed and drained/thoroughly dried

1 egg (or the equivalent in an egg replacement)

1/4 cup of finely chopped cilantro

1/4 cup of finely chopped onions

1/4 cup of corn

1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon of paprika

a sprinkle of parsley

2-3 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)

1/4 cup of soy sauce

a pinch of black pepper

2 slices of toast (for the bread crumbs)

a handful of Hot & Spicy Cheez-its -optional but recommended

hamburger buns

chipotle sauce-optional but highly recommended

avocado-optional but highly recommended

cheese-optional but highly recommended (I used a soy pepper jack, but cheddar would also go well!)

1. Get your toast going if you haven't already done so, and using a grater, or whatever method you prefer, make bread crumbs.

2. Drain and dry the beans (excess water will make the patties fall apart!). Then mash them up with a fork in a bowl, but make sure that some of the beans are still fully intact.

3. Add the onions/cilantro/corn to the beans.

4. In a separate bowl, combine the egg/"egg" & the spices & soy sauce. Mix well!

5. Combine the beans and the second bowl of goodies, mix well.

6. Add about half the bread/cracker crumbs to the mixture, mix well. Depending on the level of consistency, add more. (The crumbs help keep the patties together, so the more, the merrier. However, obviously, not too much!)

7. Using your hands, form patties using about a spoonful or so of the mixture (depending on how big you want the burgers to be!)

8. Heat up a pan with some vegetable oil, place a pattie on the pan, flip over when slightly brown. You want both sides to look nice and brown (not black, that's burnt!)

9. Assemble your burger! Add avocados, chipotle sauce, cheese, lettuce, whatever your heart desires!