I decided to make black bean burgers for dinner tonight. I bought the necessary ingredients, including a bag of rather pricey vital wheat gluten, then I hemmed and hawed, not sure if I would like it, etc. I decided to give it a try because I do love black bean burgers, and the ones from the grocery store tend to be a bit bland.
For a recipe, I adapted Isa Chandra Moskowitz's Chickpea Cutlets recipe. They looked so tasty and easy to prepare that I decided to use her methods to make black bean cutlets instead.
I even took pictures of the process, so you could see the strings of gluten being developed. I cooked one patty according to the directions. Then it was time for the taste test. UGH!!! Even though I flattened it out while cooking and cooked for the prescribed amount of time, it was still miserable. It was mushy and didn't have the strong cumin flavor that it seemed to have before cooking.
The original recipe for chickpea cutlets might be worth trying, but as an omnivore, I doubt I'll be putting forth the effort again. I'd rather just have a damn steak. I ended up having microwave spaghetti. Nasty.
5 comments:
Ugg, sorry to hear about the burgers! I'm also an omnivore who likes to include more meat-free items in my menu from time to time. I would have liked to have heard a recipe that's tried and true for the burgers, but maybe another time :)
I have made those Chickpea Cutlets and the hubby and I both enjoyed them. We were having a vegan phase at the time, but even now I would consider making them again. Maybe try them with the chickpeas?
I hear ya on that one, Z. My bean patties were always mushy and bland, too. I just stopped trying to make them into "patties". I grind up the recipe, toss it in the oven for 30 minutes, and drown it in tobasco and jalapenos. It works (for me--the non-cook)!
@_@
Oh my dear... I'm so sorry that all the effort was not worth the end product. *hugs*
Next time will be better. Fear not the beans.
xoxo
Hahaha... I am not laughing at your bean burger fail, but at your "I'd rather have a damn steak." Amen, sister! I always look at bean burger recipes and think they look interesting.. and then eat something less involved.
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