The BeST Burgers (you'll ever have)!

13.04.00 citra

What's going on with "BeST?" Just a tasty acronym for you.  BeST stands for:

BlackBeanSweetpotatoTempeh 

R-E-S-P-E-C-T the Be-S-T.

Which means when you have a BeST Burger, you're having that amalgamation of deliciousness you read above.  Well, what are you waiting for?  Make yourself the BeST Burger and enjoy it!

WARNING (well, not really): This recipe is really fun and so tasty.  Get ready to get messy!  Unlike cooking with raw meat or eggs, you can taste your  pre-burger mash anytime you'd like. You'll need two bowls for mixing  ingredients (one large/medium, one small), a pot for boiling sweet potatoes (and colander), and a pan  with oil for frying, or an oven (w/baking sheet) or grill.

Steve's Homemade BeST Burgers

(Initially made their debut in Farm Sanctuary's Just Eats Tour Vegan Recipe Contest as a finalist - and runner-up recipe. Now you can win first place by enjoying them KMIV-style!)

Ingredients (optional)

2-3 small Sweet potatoes
dash of almond milk
*1 Tbsp agave nectar*
heavy sprinkling of cinnamon
1 can black beans (or Bean of choice! - Garbanzos are yummy)
1 packet Tempeh
3-4 Tbsp ketchup
3-4 tsp garlic
*1 tsp Braggs Liquid Aminos or soy sauce*
*1 tsp balsamic vinegar*
*sprinkling of salt*
1/8 - 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
*dashes of hot sauce to your own spice preference*
1 - 1 1/2 cup quick/rolled oats 
 

Introducing the Cast of the World Premiere of "BeST Burgers!"

Boil the sweet potatoes until soft enough to put a fork through. While they are boiling, soak the beans in water, rinse, and toss them into a medium/large bowl. Mash beans and then crumble the tempeh into the bowl with them.
When the sweet potatoes are done, mash in small bowl. Add almond milk, *agave, and cinnamon. Thoroughly combine sweet potato mixture with beans and tempeh in larger bowl. Add all remaining ingredients except oats, mixing well. Finally, add oats, about 1/3 cup at a time, mixing until a slightly firmer texture is reached.
If you like, cover the bowl and refrigerate mix OR form into patties on baking sheet, cover, and pop in the fridge for 30 min to an hour (recommended). Make small/medium balls and flatten them out into patties w/your hands or using a spatula.
Add oil to a pan and cook the burgers over medium-high heat, keeping an eye on the bottom for your desired browning/blackness. Flip and cook on opposite side. You can also bake them at 400°F in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, or to your desired browning/crispiness, flipping halfway through; you can lightly dust the sheet with flour if you want to prevent sticking. (Outdoors? Try throwing them on the grill! Make sure you form some firm patties!)
Add some avocado, grilled onions or mushrooms on top for a little extra pizzazz! Makes 6-8 BST Burgers for your taste buds, stomach, and overall enjoyment.