All things Black Bean

So the other day as I enjoyed the black bean burger I had so been craving, everyone that walked in mentioned how good it looked and just wanted to know what it was.  As I explained to everyone, not very many of these meat eaters were convinced that this burger minus the meat could even compare to the real deal.  What they failed to realize is how much they were interested to find out what it was because it looked so darn good.  But, I will not hold that against them.  During this conversation it occurred to me, that maybe this should be the topic of my next blog.

The best black bean burger!!!  I have tried black bean burgers at so many different places and at this point I am convinced I have found my favorite. 

Now, sadly I will not have pictures to back up my findings so I hope my descriptions will suffice. 

Brown Bag Burger - located in North Olmsted.  I was lucky enough to not only try the black bean burger here, but was a former customer while I ate meat.  I can tell you one, this place is one of the best burger joints and the black bean burger does not fall short.  I get the burger topped with sauteed onions, mushrooms and guacamole.  It has more of a chick pea texture then black bean alone, but with the more traditional burger toppings this one is the closest to the real thing than any of the others.

Houlihan's - the one in Strongsville.  It was stale!  The waitress had the nerve to let me know she gets a lot of complaints about it and assured it was not stale.  Bottom line, it tasted moldy.  I have yet to try it again.  They have some decent things on the menu for Vegetarians, more now with a recent menu change, but do not eat the black bean burger.

Buckeye Beer Engine - located in Lakewood.  Here you can take the black bean burger that they serve and replace the classic burger for any of the creations on their menu, I liked this option.  I had the black bean southwestern burger.  Might have been a bad way to test the black bean burger however, because it was very spicy.  It was also very good and would most definitely return to try another variation of burgers offered.  The best part was the fried pickle spear served on the side.

Treehugers Cafe - located in Berea.  The burger we ordered this day was just wrong.  The texture was too much to bare. It was made with oats and a few black beans here and there.  Not a good burger, and not a place I will return to.

Winking Lizard - located all over, my favorite location the new location in Independence.  These are my favorite black bean burgers around.  The texture is chewy like a real burger, spiced to perfection, topped with onion straws and a side of salsa.  If you are feeling adventurous and would like to put a non burger to the test with the real meat, please choose this one.

Burger King - way too many locations.  Considered a veggie burger, but thought I would add into this discussion.  Ultimately, just wrong.  A friend of mine wanted burger king one day and I was hungry so had no choice but to order.  Let me just say I ate one bite and threw it away.

Morning Star Spicy Black Bean Burgers - located in the freezer section.  Amazing.  By far my favorite soy item.  They have black beans, corn and jalapenos or chillies in them for some spice.  I saute them for approximately 4 minutes and top with cheddar cheese and or sour cream.  Makes a quick and satisfying dinner.

Earth Fair Black Bean Burgers - located in the freezer section at Earth Fare.  I love Earth Fare, but these burgers are just bad.  The texture is way too soft.  They have really no flavor or spice to them.  I topped them with an overload of cheese and still had a hard time swallowing.  Reminded me of baby food.

As a vegetarian black beans are a staple in my diet as a good source of protein so I am quite happy I enjoy black bean burgers so much and that they are offered at so many places in so many varieties.  I wanted to add to this post a recipe that I have grown found of the last few weeks and mentioned to someone at work that I would post about.  It is a black bean and corn polenta pie.  Polenta is also a new favorite ingredient of mine.  It is basically corn meal and used in place of so many starches.  In this recipe it replaces mashed potatoes.  I have renamed this meal the Vegetarians Shepherds Pie.

You take the polenta.  I use the already made and pre packaged one that you can find in the organic or pasta isle at the grocery store.  And I press it into a round pie pan until it is flattened and spread out like a pie crust.  I then saute white onion, green pepper, tomato, corn, black beans and chiles and then once blended about 3/4 a cup of cheddar cheese.  Melt and mix. Whisk one egg and 3/4 cup of sour cream and pour into the saute pan and mix.  Pour everything into the pie pan top with a hand full more of cheese and cook for 35 minutes at 375 degrees.  It is super simple, inexpensive and can be left overs for days.  I also enjoy to cut up an avocado as a garnish.

Finished project.

So in conclusion on all things black bean, try a black bean burger, as a vegetarian or meat eater you will be pleased.  If I ever went back to eating meat I am confident I would remain a black bean burger eater still because I think they are just tastier.