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Southwest Veggie Black Bean and Grain Burger

Review the recipe carefully and make sure you have the grains ready in advance. If the burgers are not needed immediately, wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in a Ziploc bag and a plastic container with a lid and freeze. Label, date, and use the burgers within 2 months. When ready to use, remove the burgers from the freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then cook according to the last step.

1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn, thawed and well drained
1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup finely diced celery
2 tsp. finely chopped garlic
4 Tbsp. coconut oil (available at Omega Nutrition)
1 Tbsp. tomato paste mixed with 2 oz. water
1/4 tsp. chipotle chili powder
1/2 tsp. mild chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. Celtic Sea Salt (available at Grain and Salt Society)
1/4 tsp. chopped sage
4 oz. tempeh, finely diced
1/4 cup tamari
1 cup black, red, or pinto beans, cooked, cooled, and lightly mashed (you can also use a combination of beans)
4 oz. soft tofu, well drained and crumbled
1/2 cup cooked millet, chilled
1/2 cup cooked wild rice blend or short grain brown rice, drained and chilled
1 1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup oat flour

• Sauté the vegetables and garlic in the coconut oil until soft. Add the tomato paste and seasonings. Set aside.
• Marinate the tempeh in tamari for 10 minutes. Drain. Sauté until golden.
• Place the vegetable mixture in a large bowl and add the tempeh, beans, tofu, millet, rice, 1/4 cup cornmeal, and oat flour. Stir well.
• Shape the mixture into patties and press into a 3 1/2-inch lid or metal burger-form lined with plastic wrap. Each burger should weigh approximately 5 oz. Remove from the form and dust with the remaining 1 cup of cornmeal.
• Place the burgers on a plate and freeze until firm.
• Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and brush with coconut oil. Heat the burgers until golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side. Transfer to a pan to cool or, if using right away, bake in a 350?F oven for approximately 3 minutes on each side.

Makes 7 servings