Summer Won't Get Better Until You Add The Cheddar

This post is sponsored by Black Creek but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.


Welp. It's that time of the year again. Time to break out the grilling foods and let the party begin. My belly has already been growling at the delicious aromas of the neighbor's cookout foods, and it always puts a frown on Jason's face since he's not invited. Since I switched to a vegetarian diet, he doesn't get grilled foods often unless it's veggie based, so summertime is a bit hard for him with all of that grilled goodness filling the air. Now, I'm going to tell you a little secret. Vegetarian food does not have to be bad. Actually, it can be pretty damn good if you know what you're doing in the kitchen. Thankfully for him, this girl does know a thing or two about how to give food an extra boost of oomph.

Grilling season used to be hard for me too. I'd have to slave over our grill making burgers for friends and family, then sit back and watch them enjoy the deliciousness that I could no longer have. But, now that I'm a vegetarian of 2 years, I've learned how to concoct a veggie burger that will rival its meaty counterpart any day of the week. Even Jason will agree, my veggie burgers are killer.

Made with a mix of quinoa and a hearty helping of black beans, these burgers are healthy and filling. But, you can't have a burger without cheese, am I right? Yes, I am. I really love using specialty cheeses in my recipes because they are usually aged to perfection and have a bolder flavor over the brands you find in the grocer's refrigerated section. One of my favorites, Black Creek® Cheddar, can be found in the deli section at your local grocers.

Black Creek® Premium Cheddar is made in Wisconsin's Fox River Valley, where the soil is rich and the pasture is picturesque. The region's cows graze on nutrient-rich grasses producing distinctly rich and creamy milk. That milk is then conscientiously cultivated into smooth, full-flavor cheddar under the eye of a Certified Master Cheesemaker. Black Creek® Cheddar is aged up to 3 years, which in turn offers a pleasantly sharp and complex flavor profile which is both rich and nutty.

For Memorial Day this year, I will be making my all time favorite Southwest Veggie Burgers topped with Black Creek® Cheese and a yummy guac topping.

Yield: Serves 4-6 Author: Theresa M

 

 

Southwest Veggie Burgers

 

INGREDIENTS:

• 2.5 cups cooked black beans (can come from a can, rinsed and drained, but I pressure cooker my uncooked beans before making these)
• 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1 hot red pepper, minced
• 3 tbs fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tbsp chili powder 
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup quinoa
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 egg
• 1 block of Black Creek® Cheddar Cheese with Parmesan Notes
• 3-4 tbsp oil for frying (I use avocado oil, but any oil works)

Guac topping

• 2 avocados
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 tsp onion powder
• juice of 1 lime

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a small pan, bring the quinoa and water to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, let simmer about 15 minutes, or until water has been absorbed and quinoa is tender. 
2. Using a fork, mash the black beans into a rough consistency. Leave a few whole beans in tact. You want a nice texture, not a pile of mush.
3. Mix in the Panko, red pepper, parsley, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, garlic, salt, black pepper, and quinoa into the black bean mixture. *Sometimes it's just best to get in there and use your hands for this task* Stir in the egg.
4. Form the black beans into patties. You can get 4 to 6 patties from this mixture, depending on how big you form them. 
5. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Cook the patties in the hot oil until heated through and a hard crust has formed on the the patty surfaces, about 5 to 6 minutes per side.
6. Cut your Black Creek® Cheese block into slices. Place a slice on each patty and let melt.
7. Make the guac topping while the patties are frying: Mix the avocado, tomato, onion powder, and lime juice until you've reached a creamy consistency. 
8. Top your burgers with a tomato slice and guac topping. Serve immediately.

Serve these burgers up with a side of zucchini fries and you'll have one amazing meal that will even make your meat eating neighbors wish they got an invite to your Memorial Day shindig. 

If you like this recipe be sure to PIN IT on Pinterest

Be sure to look for Black Creek® Cheddar Cheeses in the deli section of your grocers. Remember, summer is better when you just add cheddar!

What's on your Memorial Day menu this year?