Sunday, July 13, 2014

A Yummy Barley Recipe - #VeggieBurgers

Are you ready for another barley recipe?  Barley, as it turns out, is a wonderful grain.  I was able to create a Barley and Black Bean Burger of my own that looks like a real hamburger and tastes amazing! My inspiration comes from The Cooking Network and Pinterest!
I never even considered this additional reason as to why barley is great to cook with.  Aside from being high in protein and fiber, it is very inexpensive!  And when combined with another inexpensive food, black beans, it is a great budget meal!  I quite like veggie burgers but have come to understand that if they are purchased, many of them have additives and are full of GMO by-products, so make your own!  They look and taste so much better!  Here's what I did!

Barley and Black Bean Burgers - Yield: 4 Burgers
Black Beans take a long time to cook but are finally done here!

My Ingredients:
  • 1/2 c. dried black beans, soaked overnight, cooked in crock pot on low until soft (low - 8 hours, high- 6 hours)
  • 1/4 c. hulled barley, cooked on stove top until soft, usually about 1 hour
  • 1/2 c. chopped green pepper
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 1/3 cup chopped green onions or scallions
  • 1/2 cup kale or chard chopped rough
  • Approx. 3 Tbsp. bread crumbs or crushed croutons
  • Olive oil
  • Bacon drippings or oil of choice
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/6 tsp. Chili Powder or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Seasoning Mix (I use Spike) or to taste
  • 1/6 tsp. Cayenne or to taste

After beans and barley are cooked and soft (make sure to salt each while cooking), process them in a blender or food processor until they are well-mixed. 

In olive oil, sautee the vegetables until tender, adding kale or chard leaves last, cooking them until wilted.  Add in the seasonings to taste.  Add this into bean and barley mixture and blend until well processed.  In addition, add approximately 2 tsp. bacon drippings (or another oil of your choice), and the bread crumbs.  The mixture should be well mixed and feel like wet clay.  Form into 4 patties and put into frying pan and brown with oil of your choice.  
Burgers browning in the pan

Once browned, finish cooking them in a preheated 350 degree oven, about 15 - 20 minutes.  Serve on buns with tomatoes, lettuce, and condiments of your choice. 
Finished Sandwich
Serve with Sauteed Swiss Chard and Bacon!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can you think of another ingredient then bacon? that is not healthy.
Kathleen Quinlan
cuddleyvt57@yahoo.com

A GAL NEEDS... said...

You can use olive oil or avacado oil. They would work just fine! I have my grandmother to blame for that one--she is from the south! We love our bacon and although I haven't lived there in years, I can't seem to shake the bacon thing. And it does add a subtle smokey flavor to the burger. Two teaspoons of the stuff is easy for me to rationalize.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, I have super high Cholesterol and it runs in the family, Recently after my Dad's passing I have gained a lot of weight,I LOVE bacon,,, but try to watch what I eat...Maybe imitation bacon bits (crushed) would be healthy,, What state are you from?

Kathleen Quinlan

A GAL NEEDS... said...

Oh, I understand completely. The crushed bacon bits would probably add flavor, yes! I actually live in Utah, but I lived in Virginia for many years. Love southern cooking.

BethElderton said...

I have been on the lookout for a good veggie burger, and this one sounds delicious! Also, I'm not afraid of the bacon!
Yea, I'm a southerner :)

A GAL NEEDS... said...

Ha Ha! I always did like Paula Deen...

Melissa said...

This sounds delicious - plus I think my kids would love it.

Diane said...

one of my friends started buying black bean burgers and loved them! Good to know I can make them at home, and it isn't that hard!

A GAL NEEDS... said...

Melissa,Your kids would indeed love it and Diane, if it was that hard, I wouldn't be making it! I love easy, nutritious and tasty. You should definitely try!

Unknown said...

I have been searching for a good veggie burger and this looks like a winner! I wouldn't have thought to use barley. Thank you for this post!

A GAL NEEDS... said...

You are so welcome!

Ascending Butterfly said...

I have done some creative stuff with my beans, but never thought of adding barley to them! Good idea!

Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly

Laura Funk said...

I am surprised at how these actually look like ground beef. They look yummy!

JewelWood said...

I am going to keep the bacon. It is not that bad. I like your delicious healthy Veggie Burgers. Much better than eating beef. I would like to give this recipe a try. Thanks for sharing. I love southern cooking.