Mushroom & Bean Burgers

There are so many veggie burger options out there and I have tried A LOT! But this one is special. It holds together pretty dang well, it has the BEST flavor and every single one of the boys in the house LOVED it. Especially my husband. So that's a HUGE WIN!! You can sub different beans if you choose like black instead of pinto, portabella mushrooms instead of shiitake, brown instead of white rice OR make it grain free with cauliflower rice and gf bread crumbs instead of chick pea crumbs. It really is very versatile! I hope you enjoy this one!!

Ingredients:

• 3 flax eggs (3 Tbsp flax meal + 1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp warm water)
• 2 cups shiitake mushrooms, cubed into small pieces
• 2 cups cooked pinto beans, rinsed and divided in 1/2
• 1 cup cooked rice, I used basmati
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 1/2 a small onion, minced
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 3 Tbsp Coconut aminos
• 3/4 cup chickpea crumbs
• 3/4 cup cashew parmesan**
• Olive or coconut oil

**Cashew Parmesan:

• 1 cup raw cashews
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder

Add all ingredients in a food processor or high speed blender until a fine meal or powder is formed. Set aside.

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl make the flax eggs and set aside.
2. In a large bowl add 1 cup of the pinto beans and mash with a masher (chunks are OK).
3. Next, add in the mushrooms, the rest of the beans, rice, spinach, onion, garlic powder and coconut aminos. Mix until coated well.
4. Add in the flax eggs, cashew parm and chickpea crumbs. Mix gently with a large spoon until the mixture is combined well.
5. Set aside and place a medium sized skillet over medium heat and add in 2 Tbl of oil.
6. Once the oil is hot, using damp hands, scoop a 1/2 cup of mixture into the palm of your hand and gently shape into a burger. The mixture should hold a burger shape. If it doesn’t add just a Tbsp more of bread crumbs.
7. Place in the oil and cook for 3-5 minutes per side or until golden brown and a nice crust has formed on each side.
8. Serve on a GF bun, on a salad, with hummus, cashew cream or guacamole!