Veggie Patties from the Southwest

We do not have a BBQ, but it does not stop us from serving "ham"burgers à la vegetarian. Oh course, these can be cooked on a BBQ as well.

Burguesas Vegetarianas del Suroeste (Spanish)

Makes 4 
Needs to chill for 20 minutes.

1 medium chopped onion

1 medium organic chopped bell pepper (green, yellow, or red)

2 tsp. (10 ml) jalapeño peppers 

15 ounces (420 g) each rinsed and rained: black beans and pinto beans

1/2 cup (120 ml) each: cooked brown rice and organic corn

1 tsp. (5 ml) cumin

1 1/2 tsp. chile powder

1 tsp. (5 ml) garlic powder

1 large organic egg, lightly beaten

1/4 cup (60 ml) bread crumbs

1 Tbs. (15 ml) chia seeds

8 whole-wheat or gluten free hamburger buns

1. Cook 5-7 minutes: onions, bell pepper, and jalapeño until starting to brown. Set aside to cool.
2. In a medium bowl: beans and rice. Use a potato masher to mash, but leave about one-fourth of the beans whole.
3. Mix in: cumin, chile powder, corn, egg, and bread crumbs.
4. Shape mixture into 8 patties, about 1/2-inch (2.25 cm) thick.
5. Chill for 20 minutes.
6. Cook the patties over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until lightly browned and cooked through. 
7. Serve on buns with some of these toppings:

• salsa
• lettuce
• slice of tomato
• sliced onions 
• avocado
• sprouts
• barbecue sauce
• cheese
• mustard
• ketchup
• hot sauce
• chopped cilantro or parsley
• green chilies
• guacamole
• sour cream
• chipotle peppers
• sliced fresh or sautéd mushrooms
• sliced black olives
• enchilada sauce
• refried beans
• lime juice
• etc.