Veggie Burger with Mushrooms

This is one of my weeknight favorites I got from Food Network Magazine.  You'll find these veggie burgers to be delicious, substantial, inexpensive and did I mention delicious?  They also warm up well and I usually have one for lunch the next day.  Another great thing about this recipe is that it is very adaptable to adding different kinds of beans or veggies; I've often used black beans instead. They can be gluten free if you use almond meal or soy flour instead of bread crumbs.

Ingredients

• 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 small red onion, shredded and squeezed dry (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 small carrot, finely diced
• 1 cup plain or whole-wheat breadcrumbs
• 2 scallions, white and green parts, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire or soy sauce
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cups assorted mushrooms, sliced
• 4 English muffins, split and toasted
• Mayonnaise and/or mustard, for garnish
• Baby spinach or arugula, for garnish

Directions

Smash the beans in a bowl with a potato masher or fork until slightly chunky. Add the onion, walnuts, carrot, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, scallions, parsley and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper and mix with your hands until combined.

Spread the remaining 1/2 cup breadcrumbs on a plate. Form the bean mixture into 4 patties; lightly coat with the breadcrumbs, shaking off any excess. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook until golden and slightly crisp, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the burgers to a plate.

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and the remaining 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; season with salt and pepper and cook until the mushrooms are slightly wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve the burgers on the English muffins with mayonnaise and/or mustard, baby greens and mushrooms.