Camp friends

Monday, August 19, 2013
Oh, to be a teenager again.

After spending a month at camp as a leader-in-training, my youngest daughter was desperately missing the two other L.I.T. girls she spent July with.  So what was to be done except spend a week together in August, split between two of their houses?

We hosted them this past weekend, and it was a great reminder of the intensity of camp friendships.  There really is something special about bonding over campfires, the craft cabin, and canoe trips.  Not having seen each other in three weeks, of course they had hundreds of things to catch up on.  And it was wonderful to see the love and kindness they shared with each other.

I made these veggie burgers for the girls and they were a huge hit.  Although we aren't a vegetarian family, I thought the burgers were delicious and I can't wait to make them again!

Black Bean Burgers
(from Bake Your Day)

Black Bean Burgers

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
1 cup vegetable stock
1 tsp olive oil
2 carrots, peeled and finely diced
1/4 cup onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground oregano
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp kosher salt
pinch black pepper
1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
3 Tbsp ketchup
1 tsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp Sriracha sauce (optional)
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, plus more if necessary
1 egg
2 tsp olive oil, for frying
6 burger buns

Cook the quinoa according to package directions using vegetable stock in place of water.

While the quinoa cooks, heat 1 tsp olive oil in a small skillet.  Add carrots, onion and garlic, and saute until soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes.

While the vegetables cook, mix the paprika, cumin, cinnamon, oregano, salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper in a small bowl and set aside.

Pour the rinsed black beans into a large bowl.  Add the cooked carrot mixture.  Using a pastry blender or two forks, smash the mixture to break down the black beans.  Don't mash them completely, just until the mixture is cohesive.

Add the ketchup, soy sauce, Sriracha (if using) and the spice mixture, and stir well.  Add the cooked quinoa, 1/2 cup panko and the egg, and mix to combine.  If needed, add enough additional panko so the mixture will easily hold together when formed into a patty.  Form mixture into six patties and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes, up to a day before cooking.

Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a large skillet.  Place patties in the skillet and cook until browned, about 4 minutes per side.



26 comments:

Jemi Fraser said...

What a pretty trio of young ladies! :)

I haven't tried veggie burgers - I'll have to do that one day :)

Valerie Gamine said...

Beth, If all veggie burgers looked this flavourful I think we'd all be much healthier! This looks so much better than the flat pre-made frozen *things* I get at the grocery store.

Summer friendships are usually the tightest - and longest lasting! :D

amy (fearless homemaker) said...

I remember all the great friendships I made as a Counselor-In-Training and then a Counselor, too. So glad your daughter is experiencing it! And those burgers look fab!

Gloria Baker said...

This veggie Burger look awesome!!

Jess said...

Yes, summer camp friendships are strong and bittersweet. I have the best memories of overnight camp. Though I never became a counselor, I plan on sending my child to summer camp at some point. PS, have you ever seen the movie Indian Summer? One of my favorites, and it's set in Canada!!

Jess said...

And yes, the veggie burger looks awesome :)

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

I was underwhelmed when I ate a veggie mushroom burger...but I have a feeling your black bean version is terrific! So fun that the girls got to spend some more time together :)

Paula Montenegro said...

I've been wanting to make veggies burgers for the longest time. The recipe looks just like my kind of thing, full of flavor! And healthy too Beth, especially good for the girls.

Belinda said...

Camp friends are special ones - I'm still friends with mine from decades ago!!

Anonymous said...

I'm not a vegetarian either but your burgers sound terrific.

Juliana said...

This black bean burgers sound great, and yes, I like the idea of quinoa in it...
Thanks for the inspiration Beth and have a wonderful week ahead :D

Daniela Grimburg said...

Beth, I love the idea of this black bean burger, even I'm not a vegetarian.
It loos so good and crunchy, mmh!

Joanne said...

I always wished my mom would send me to camp for exactly that reason!! I'll just have to make sure to send my future kids.

Yay for black bean burgers! These look awesome.

Patty Price said...

Sweet -love camp bonding and there's nothing like time spent outside in nature to make that happen for a nice group of young women ;)
I'm always looking for good veggie burger recipes- I never miss the meat!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Black beans always have such great flavor! Most veggie burgers I've had have always lacked something (flavor!), but every one I've had made with black beans has been quite good. And these look terrific!

Katerina said...

Camps are a very good way for a kid to socialize and learn how to be with other people and make friends. I am not vegetarian either but these burgers look absolutely mouthwatering!

Anonymous said...

Love black bean burgers! These sound great!

grace said...

when i eat a black bean burger, i'm temporarily convinced that i could be a vegetarian. it doesn't last long. :)

Anonymous said...

I love all kinds of veggie burgers, but I think black bean are my favorite. These sound delicious!

Julie said...

Oh to be a teenager again is right!!! I don't think summers went this fast back then! :)

I love black bean burgers. I will be giving these a try soon. Wonder if I can get my meat eating husband to eat them :)

Cooking Quidnunc said...

Lots of spice and flavour in these burgers, I would much rather this than a beef burger.

Andrea_TheKitchenLioness said...

Beth, veggie burgers are wonderful and your recipe sounds fabulous and the picture of the three happy girls is just wonderful! What a nice post, Beth!

Angie's Recipes said...

wow that long list of ingredients! I love those veggie burgers made with quinoa and black beans. I would need at least two for my lunch.

Anonymous said...

Great sounding burger and SO much more healthy that all that beef!! LOVE it!
mary x

amy (fearless homemaker) said...

Are these the veggie burgers that you just mentioned when you commented on my post? After the success of the falafel, I totally want to make more vegetarian burgers. =)

Beth said...

Yes, they are, Amy! I absolutely love these!

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