Leyla's Vegetarian Burgers

Photo: Leyla Hur

Ingredients

1 pound pinto beans

3 bay leaves

1 tablespoon salt

3 Enough water to cover fingers above top of beans

2 cups instant potatoes

2 teaspoons chicken powder (you can substitute for vegetable bouillon if you are vegetarian)

1/2 onion, blended

1/4 cup oil

1 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1/4 cup milk

3 eggs

oil for frying

Preparation

Wash well and then soak the beans for 1 - 2 hours. Rinse the beans well after soaking, put in to a cooking pot with enough water for three fingers above the top of the beans. Add salt and bay leaves. Cook until beans are cooked through very well.

Drain and mash beans (you can also blend in a food processor to make it easier for you).

Add the instant potatoes, chicken powder, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix in (it'll be pretty dry) and then leave for about 1/2 an hour until the beans are cooled.

Blend the half onion with 1/4 cup of oil until like a smoothie.

Add onions, eggs and milk and then, roll up your sleeves and dig in, mixing very well until completely blended in. At this point, it will be pretty sticky. Leave for about 5-10 minutes. It will still be moist but not as sticky.

Heat oil in a pan, and scoop large tablespoons full into your hand and then roll and form in to a patty. Then place the patties into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, turn the patties over and fry other side until golden brown.

Serve with salad.