Black Bean, Spinach, and Oatmeal Burgers

My friend Marisa asked me to share my recipe for a veggie burger I had created last summer, but I couldn't remember which ingredients I had used! Instead, these burgers can be made in less than 45 minutes with items that are pantry staples. They are spiced with cumin, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, and celery seed. Delicious for lunch, dinner, or a BYOB (bring your own burger) party.

Ingredients:

2 T. olive oil

1 red onion, minced

5 cloves garlic, chopped

1 small handful whole cumin seed

1 T. celery seed

1 T. cayenne pepper

1 T. dry mustard

2 T. miso (any kind)

1 package frozen spinach
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
2 cups regular oatmeal (not instant)
2 T. sesame seeds

In a large saucepan, sweat onions and garlic in olive oil over medium heat. Add all spices and stir for 2 minutes. Add miso and stir for 1 minute. Turn down heat to low and add frozen spinach. Cover pan and let spinach defrost for 5 minutes. Add black beans, tomatoes, oatmeal, and sesame seeds. Stir and smash some of the beans with your spatula. Turn off flame. Allow mixture to sit for 10 minutes. The oatmeal will begin to soften and will help bind all the ingredients together. With clean hands, form patties about the size of your palm. Makes 16 approximately. Put a little oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat and cook the burgers for 3 minutes on each side. Serve on a bun with BBQ sauce, lettuce and tomato. Wrap uncooked burgers in tin foil and freeze.