What’s an “un-burger”? It’s my version of a de-constructed veggie bean burger. The filling is somewhere between a burger and a sloppy joe, and the sauce is somewhere between ketchup and barbeque sauce.
If you read this post about my Spicy Bean Burgers, you’ll know I had some difficulty trying to make a bean burger. It tasted great, but I had a hard time finding the right ingredients to hold the burger’s shape while cooking.
I was in the mood for a burger, but didn’t have the time to experiment fixing that problem. So I decided to throw everything together in a pan, season it, and stuff it in a pita pocket. This could be my new favorite.
If you want to skip the bread, turn this into a salad by placing the mixture over a bed of mixed greens and topped with chopped onions and tomatoes. Or spread it in a big lettuce leaf, roll it up and eat it like a taco. There’s something for everyone here. Enjoy!
For those following Dr. Fuhrman’s Eat To Live plan, this complies with both the weight loss and life plan portions of the program. If you have a difficult time losing weight, make this as a salad instead of with a pita pocket. If desired, use gluten free pita bread. Also make sure the liquid smoke (if used) is vegan and gluten free. I used the Colgin brand that I found at Whole Foods.
Ingredients (makes about 10 – 12 servings)
2 cups cooked quinoa
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed well)
1 sweet onion (diced)
1 ½ tbsp. chopped garlic
½ tsp. chili pepper flakes
sliced tomatoes
sliced onion
lettuce leafs (whole or shredded)
pita pockets
Sauce Ingredients
6 oz. can tomato paste
3 dates – soaked for 15 minutes (or 1 -2 tbsp. agave nectar)
3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. liquid smoke (optional – or 1 tsp. cumin)
1 tsp. powdered onion
1 tsp. powdered garlic
½ tsp. salt (or tamari, soy sauce or Braggs Amino acids to taste)
1-2 tsp. Cholula sauce (optional)
Directions
1. In separate pans, cook 1 cup each of dry quinoa and brown rice per package instructions. The quinoa takes about 15 – 20 minutes to cook, and the brown rice about 35 – 45 minutes.
2. Prepare the sauce while the grains are cooking. Remove the dates from soaking water and finely chop. In a food processor, puree the dates into a syrup with 3 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar and 1 tbsp. liquid smoke.
3. Mix (by hand or in food processor) pureed dates with all other sauce ingredients and set aside.
4. In a large non-stick pan, sauté the onion in 1 – 2 tbsp. water over medium heat. Cook until water evaporates and onions start to caramelize (about 7 minutes). Add garlic and chili pepper flakes and cook over low another 2 minutes.
5. Add 2 cups each of cooked quinoa and brown rice to the onions. Refrigerate unused portion of quinoa and brown rice for later use.
6. Add beans and sauce to the onion mixture. Mix the sauce through all of the ingredients very thoroughly.
7. Place lettuce, sliced tomato and onion in a pita pocket, then fill the rest with the onion/bean/grain mixture.
8. Serve warm or cold.
Vee@VeesEasyVegan says
I love the “un-burger” notion. Looks lovely and easy too!
Vee@VeesEasyVegan recently posted…ANZAC Biscuits…an Australian Tradition
Amy says
Glad you like it, Vicki!
Sarah - RunningOnBrie says
I love unburgers! Brilliant! And the quinoa, black bean, garlic, tomato combo sounds really great.
Sarah – RunningOnBrie recently posted…Spaghetti with Broccolini and Coconut Peanut Sauce
Amy says
Thanks, Sarah! They are certainly easier to make than burgers and just as tasty.
cheri says
Hi Amy, this looks delicious, love that you added quinoa great touch. Beautiful presentation. I made black bean burgers last night with oatmeal, carrot, onion and farro and they did not turn out right, back to the drawing board for me.
cheri recently posted…Huckleberry Lemon Scones
Amy says
I don’t know why it’s so hard to come up with the right combination to make the perfect veggie burger, but I’m still trying. In the meantime, this un-burger does the trick!
Faith VanderMolen says
I’m so glad you commented on my blog so I could find yours! This looks awesome!! Great Recipe:)
Faith VanderMolen recently posted…Raw Fruit Pizza
Amy says
Thanks for stopping by, Faith. I look forward to seeing more on your blog!