1/2 can vega-burger

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can black beans

Seasoning - cover eyes and pull something from cupboard

Fix with ketchup as needed

Thank you, mxyplux and colleenoz. In looking through old recipes I found a note I wrote more than 5 years ago, speculating that my old fav recipe used either refried beans or lentils along with pearl barley, so I find Colleen's comment about barley being best very interesting!

My apologies, I thot you asked how to serve it not how to make it. Too bad my wife's recipe is gone. She made it mostly from stuff fresh out of our garden. One of my daughters has it.

I really do serve it as posted. By dinner time I'm too tired to give a damn.

Well, it escaped me, mxyplux, because I don't know what vega-burger is. :)

I just marinate a big portobella in some Italian dressing, grill it and eat it on a toasted bulky roll with lettuce, tomato and onion. It is what it is.

Party-

A tired persons shortcut to good nutrition

We lived on these ages ago when we were vegetarians on a tight budget. The recipe came from a grocery store display. We'd break up the leftovers and add Mexican spices for burritos.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Surprise Burgers

Recipe By : Rosauers recipe card

Serving Size : 10 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Vegetarian

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 1/4 cups lentils
3 cups water
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup finely chopped carrots
2 cups whole wheat bread crumbs -- more if necessary
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano -- * see note
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter, margarine, or oil
cheese slices

Wash lentils. Add water and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer about 15 minutes.

Add onions and carrots. Cook 15 minutes or more until lentils and vegies are tender.

Stir in bread crumbs, seasoning and egg.

Drop lentils by rounded 1/3 cupfuls into hot oil. Flatten with pancake turner. Cook until firm and brown on both sides. Top with cheese slice and cook until cheese is melted.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NOTES : * I add some sage and a little thyme...use whatever herbs you like for meatloaf.

I'd have to read the ingredient list before I'd be willing to try that, mxyplux. And I've been known to eat weird simple things when I just want quick easy food. :)

Thank you, KatieC, I have some lentils to use. I may try a weird variation and replace the breadcrumbs with pearl barley because then it sounds a lot like my old favorite recipe!

Party_music, I'd love to see your actual recipe. I love black beans and quinoa, and I try to cook gluten free 90+% percent of the time when home.

Now that I have moved, there are more vegetarian friends within visiting range....

No TVP ever, which would probably eliminate vega-burger.

I adore lettuce wraps with melty cheese, and mustard.

Artemis, I started with this recipe base but I double the quinoa, sub oats for the breadcrumbs, omit the cumin, and vary the vegs... Best with yellow or orange bell pepper, sometimes minced carrot, etc. It's a little sloppy with the extra quinoa so I like to form and freeze, then sautée in oo til quinoa is browned and crispy. Lol.

In searching for the recipe I saw several other black bean veggie burger recipes that looked good. Additions like sun-dried tomatoes or toasted cashews sound interesting to me.

Thanks, Party. I have tree nut digestive problems but the sun dried tomatoes sound wonderful here! And thanks so much for the link!