Chipotle Black Bean and Rice Burger
Prep Time
40 min prep time
Number of Servings
serves 6
Ingredients
  • 1 cup frozen brown rice
  • 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • [q:1/2] cup chopped onion
  • [q:1/2] cup finely chopped red bell pepper
  • 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
  • 1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • [q:1/4] cup almond meal or very finely ground almonds
  • [q:1/4] to [q:1/2] tsp ground chipotle chili pepper
  • [q:2/3] cup (2 oz) shredded low-fat sharp cheddar cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 whole-wheat pita breads with pockets (5-6 inches)
  • 2 cups baby arugula, lightly packed
  • 6 thin tomato slices
  • 6 very thin red onion slices
Directions
  1. In a small saucepan, combine frozen rice with N cup water and cook, covered, until rice is very soft, about 8 minutes. Transfer rice to the bowl of a food processor.
  2. In a heavy medium skillet, preferably cast iron, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and pepper, and cook until onion is translucent, 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until onion is soft, 4 minutes. Transfer vegetables to bowl of food processor.
  3. Add beans to food processor and pulse to chop mixture coarsely. Add almond meal or almonds and chili pepper and pulse just to blend, 6 times. Add cheese and pulse to blend, 4 times. Scoop burger mixture into a medium bowl; it will be quite sticky. Season mixture to taste with salt and pepper.
  4. Lightly moisten your hands and shape burger mixture into 6 patties, arranging patties on a plate.
  5. To cook burgers, heat remaining tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add burgers and cook until crusty and dark brown on bottom, 2 minutes. Carefully turn burgers and cook until crusty on second side, 2 minutes.
  6. To serve, open pita breads and arrange [q:1/2] cup arugula on each bottom. Add cooked burger and top with tomato and onion slices. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Info
Per serving: 490 Calories, 18 g Protein, 78 g Carbohydrates, 13 g Fiber, 14 g Total fat (3 g sat), 628 mg Sodium, [nutrition:5] Phosphorus, [nutrition:4] Vitamin C,[nutrition:3] Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Magnesium, [nutrition:2] Vitamin B3 (niacin), B6, K, Iron, [nutrition:1] Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), E, Calcium, Potassium, Zinc