It’s a vegetarian classic! These are simple, but they have a lot of flavor. Although basically comprised of black beans and bread crumbs, they’re flavored with sage, basil, smoked paprika, cumin and fennel, which makes them more tasty than any old beef burger, baby! I baked them on an oiled baking sheet, but you could cook them in a frying pan as well, and they might be slightly less dry. I served them on sweet potato buns, and the flavors mingled well with the cardamom. I also topped them with a bit of brie and some arugula. My boys ate them with barbeque sauce!

Here’s De La Soul’s Bitties in the BK Lounge

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 shallot
1 large clove garlic
olive oil
1 t basil
1/2 t. sage
1/2 t. cumin
1/2 t smoked paprika
1/4 t. fennel seeds, crushed or chopped
2 t. tomato paste
1/2 t. marmite
1 1/2 cups whole wheat bread crumbs (about two slices of bread)
1/3 cup corn kernals
1 egg
salt
Pepper

Warm the oil over medium heat. Add the shallot then the garlic, then the basil, sage, tomato paste and marmite. Stir it all together, then add the paprika, cumin, beans and the corn. Cook till warm through, smashing the beans a bit, but leaving some whole. Put the beans in a bowl with the bread crumbs. Stir it all together. It should be dry enough to handle. Stir in an egg, mixing very thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper.

Form into burger shapes, and either cook on an oiled sheet, or fry in a shallow pan.