Vegan MoFo Day 24 - Chicago Diner

Welcome to Vegan MoFo Twenty Four

- Day 24 of Vegan Month of Food 2011

In 1971, the Chi-Lites 

charted this week with their heavily narrated ballad 

"Have You Seen Her"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVYxKRXDT2I

reaching #1 R&B and #3 on the Pop charts.

The group took the name the Chi-Lites in homage to their hometown of Chicago.

Chicago,

You're the Inspiration

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRfy1yorkec&ob=av2n

for our 

Black-Bean Grain Burgers

from The Chicago Diner Cookbook.
http://www.veggiediner.com/wp/

(Meat-free since 1983)

Recipe, with my substitutions Italicized

1 medium onion, finely chopped, 1/2 red/1/2 white onion

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 red bell pepper, diced

1 small jalapeno pepper, diced

2 tsp oregano

1 TBS cumin

2 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp salt-free Spike

1 tsp Penzeys Forward spice

2 tsp pepper

2 cups cooked RED beans, lightly mashed

1 cup cooked brown Basmati rice, should be sticky not dry

1/4 cup sunflower seeds, chopped and toasted

1/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats

2 TBS tamari (Bragg's liquid aminos)

Saute onion, celery, garlic,peppers and spices in lightly oiled, 

non-stick pan until tender.

Saute vegetables and seasonings

Pour into large mixing bowl with rest of ingredients. Mix well.

Form into patties.

I used a 1/3 cup size measuring cup.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow patties to firm.

Instead of preheating oven to 350 to bake,

I used

Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Recipe made 12 mini-burgers, at 2 per serving,

Serves 6.