Black Bean Burgers with Mango Avocado Salsa

Four years ago I found myself eating nothing but "Vegan" food. Oh yeah, i thought I was going to last forever. My dad, being the positive cheerleader that he is, told me he'd give me 3 days. Oh, I lasted a week. Take that Dad. The cause of my sudden 'vegan-ity' was a book called, 'Skinny Bi*ch'; It's all about why you 'shouldn't eat meat'. Whatever, to each their own. However, the two 'bi*ches' did hit the mark on at least one thing which is,  'If you eat like crap- you're going to look like crap.' This is the nice way of putting it. In all seriousness though, if you don't stop jamming the...

Doritos, Cheetos, Arby's melts, White Bread, and Cool-Aid down your throat you're not going to look so great. You're just not. (In my opinion)

So even though my vegan venture was short lived I learned to appreciate vegetables for more than a side dish and frankly, that i really really like black beans. Maybe you tried my previous Black Bean Burger recipe inspired by a small Malibu Deli but this one is different. Different for one because this one pairs with an unbelievable Mango Avocado Salsa. So good you won't want to share. 

Here you get a Black Bean Burger, Bun (find Whole Wheat Buns like good little girls), Lettuce, and Mango Avocado Salsa all for only 320 calories. Oh girls, dinner just became so slimming. 

Black Bean Burgers with 

Mango Avocado Salsa

ingredients

For the Black Bean Burgers:

• 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 3/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, divided
• 1/2 cup instant oats
• 1 red bell pepper
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 medium jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
• 1 large egg 
• 1 large egg white
• Cooking spray
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• For the Mango Salsa
• 1 1/4 cups chopped peeled mango (about 1 medium)
• 3 tablespoons chopped shallots
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 avocado, peeled and chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 6 (2-ounce) whole-wheat hamburger buns, lightly toasted
• 6 green leaf lettuce leaves

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  Preparation
• 1. Preheat oven to 350°.
• 2. Place 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro, black beans and the next 7 ingredients (through egg white)in a food processor. Pulse till combined.  You may also add 3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese after you finish with the food processor. If so, use 2 egg whites instead of a whole egg. Shape bean mixture into 6 (1/2-inch-thick) patties. Arrange patties on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes, carefully turning once.
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• 3. Combine remaining 1/4 cup cilantro, mango, and the next 4 ingredients (through minced garlic) in a medium bowl.
• Stir to combine. 
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• 4. Place a patty on bottom half of each hamburger bun; top each with 1 lettuce leaf, 1/3 cup salsa, and top half of bun.
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