CaribBEAN burgers, From Scratch

While Marie was here we didn't get a chance to make a from scratch meal because there was just too little time to take her out and about and let her try the local cuisine.  So, this past weekend we were excited to get back in the kitchen and try something new.
Here are the recipes to start with:
This is for mango salsa...
Since I wanted to do everything as much from scratch as posssible, I went with dried beans.  I also selected black beans even though this recipe called for great northern beans.  I am just a big fan of scipy black bean burgers, so that was what I was thinking about.  We planned ahead and let these soak over night.
First up was the bread.  Since we are doing this from scratch, that means the buns too.
The dough turnerd out nicely this time.  Not too moist.
I may have gone a little crazy with the punching of the dough, but it felt so nice and squishy.
Then we shaped them...
They rose a little, but not much so we decided the bean burgers would be best if we made them smaller to fit the buns...duh!  Things never rise here because it says warm area, and well, we have no warm area!
Thankfully they rose some more in the oven.
Little buns, means little burgers.  Thanks to my sister for reminding me these are called sliders.  Used to eat them all the time (crabcake sliders) but the term escaped me last night.
The it was mango salsa time.  Ryan and I both chopped and diced for this one.
Oh did I cry!
Mango chunkin'
Look at the great colors!
Hot pepper time!
Fresh ginger root.  Everytime we said ginger, the dog got up and came over.  Oh poor Ginger, at least she got some exercise.
No fresh cilantro, so we used dried.
The last touch to the salsa was lime juice...
which lead to this...
Ok, 2 down, one more recipe to go. 
So we cooked the beans and then the recipe called for bean smashing, however with these beans (which were not canned and I imagine those are easier to smash) were not smashable, so we put them in the Cuisanart mini food processor and ground them up.
Then we added bread crumbs like the recipe called for, but added 2 eggs not one, and then added the milk and onion and finally it was pastier and sticking together.
Here are the formed "burgers".
To get the perfect little shape, we used a 1/3 cup measuring cup and packed in the bean mixture.  Then we used a 1/4 cup measuring cup to smash it down and form a tight patty.  This technique worked better than I could have imagined.
Cookin' time!
Up close...ok a little blurry!
Aha, the finished product...
As always we set the dinner table complete with wine and candles.
This was a green wine we picked up at the grocery store.  It was really good.  I didn't expect it to be bubbly, but it was.
Here is the realy finished, all dressed up product.
There you have our CarriBEAN burgers...from scratch!
QUESTION:  What's your favorite burger or favorite topping(s) for a burger?

15 comments:

MelissaNibbles said...

Great job! I'm drooling over all the fresh foods you used.
My favorite burgers are portabello mushroom burgers with cheddar cheese. YUM!

Rachel Lauren said...

Awww they look so cute! love the little buns.

My favourite burg is a veggie burger! or portabella mushroom...black bean burgers are good too. anything with lots of veggies and grains. My favourite frozen veg burg is Boca Original Vegan though.

Unknown said...

that one u just made, that is my fave!!

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

I love black bean burgers and make very similar ones. But I'm lazy and have only used canned beans so far! I love that you made your own rolls as well. Awesome from scratch meal. And lovely dinner table!

Mari said...

Those look so delish and cute lol...I think my new fave topping on burgers will have to be Guacamole lol

chow and chatter said...

wow impressive and full of protein I bet the fricassee would still rock with all veggies

eatingRD said...

wow, now that is from scratch! Looks so refreshing. I'm a big fan of mushrooms and lots of veggies on burgers :)

Astra Libris said...

Ooooh, your from scratch meals always look SO amazing! These burgers are gorgeous - they look like they belong on the cover of a food magazine!

My favorite burger topping is probably sauteed mushrooms... on a mushroom veggie burger! :-)

Anonymous said...

Melinda - everything turned out so good! Love the black bean sliders!!

Avocado and salsa on mine please! :D

Beth said...

Melinda--these look great! I think I'm stealing this idea!

A while back you asked me about vino verde and where we get it in the Baltimore area. I've found it at several nicer wine stores (places that specialize in wine) especially during the summer. Just ask!

Gina; The Candid RD said...

Melinda these are perfect!!! What a beautiful creation you guys made, and I bet they tasted awesome. I love your table setting, it looks like you were in a restaurant. You put so much hard work into this and I love it. The best part is, I could tell the two of you had fun all the while. I made pizza from scratch this weekend, and will be posting about it next weekend :)
As for my favorite burger toppings; swiss, mushrooms, pickles, and tomato! Yeah, random.

Tricia said...

They look great!

Oh, And did you sign up for my latest running skirt giveaway? :)

FoodFitnessFreshair said...

This looks wonderful! I love that you made your own bread for it. And the burgers look great. Mangoes are also pretty much my favorite fruit! This seriously looks superior to a lunch at a restaurant. Nice job and I enjoy viewing your meals made from scratch!

Kelly said...

Wow, those look delicious! I have never tried a black bean burger, but I bet I would love them. My favorite kind of burger right now is a turkey burger, and I like salsa on them! Yum.

sophia said...

Argh, how many times must I tell you how much I ADORE your blog? Seriously, making everything from scratch? My hat is off to you!!
I wanna try making a bean burger sometime! I've only tried it once, but mixed with kabocha.

My favorite burger is just your regular beef burger...or lamb...or tofu/pork mixture is pretty damn good, too. Fave topping is grilled onions, goat cheese, cranberry sauce....

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