Veggie Burgers!

(Houston's Veggie Burger + Side of Spinach)

This picture does not do it justice... but maybe after you read the ingredients your mouth might start watering. I used to go to Houston's in Santa Monica to get their veggie burger and oddly enough it popped up in my brain and we went and had them. Still AMAZING (even meat eaters enjoy this one) and quite filling. Our waitress told us they make them fresh every morning. I am not sure if this is the exact recipe, but it seems pretty right on...

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons hickory barbecue sauce
1 tablespoon molasses
1 can (15 ounce size) black beans, drained
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 tablespoon oat bran
2 tablespoons onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped canned beets
1 teaspoon beet juice
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon pickled jalapeno peppers, chopped
1 egg white
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 slices Monterey jack cheese (optional)

Directions:
Stir together barbecue sauce and molasses. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mash beans. Stir in 2/3 of the barbecue mixture (reserving remaining for brushing) and remaining ingredients except oil and cheese. Form into 6 oz. patties.

Heat olive oil in a cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium. Grill burgers for 2 minutes on one side. Turn and brush with remaining barbecue/molasses mixture. Top with Monterey Jack and grill for another 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serve with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions and mustard on a bun which has been grilled in butter.
Another option- perfect for at home and less work is the Sunshine Burgers. My favorite is "southwest". Quite delicious and they are organic, vegan, soy and gluten free!

Ingredients...
Organic ground raw sun-flower seeds
Organic Brown Rice
Organic Bell Peppers
Organic Cilantro
Organic Garlic
Organic Jalepeno Peppers
Organic Ground Cumin Seeds
Organic Onion
Sea Salt

They are in the frozen section of most health food stores. I usually pick them up at Whole Foods, since Trader Joes does not yet have them. They make great burgers (I like to add tomato, avocado, cucumber, onions + lettuce), and have also used them broken up as a topping for salads and in chip dip mix. YUM!