Bean and Vegetable Burger

It is convenient, comfortable, no fuming, no swearing, could catch some zzzs or two, read a book, listen to music or even watch a movie. Even with so many plusses, public transportation is not the preferred mode of commute for a lot of people in the US. I am not talking about people who have to jump through hoops to take the bus or train but about people for whom it would be an added convenience. I was talking to someone who wrote it off without even a thought.

This sudden light did not dawn on me in a moment of lucidity one fine morning but one I had known all along. Public transportation is just not chic. When I told people at my (ex)office I take the bus and metro to get to work, the question that popped up was "You take the bus?" in that incredulous voice. Taking public transportation for some reason brings with it a negative connatation. When the gas hit $4/gallon the negative was overcome and a lot more people readily took the bus making it difficult for regulars to find parking spots. Unlike in European countries I know of no high level official (barring the VP who used to take the Amtrak), takes public transportation and hence lack of powerful voices to fight for these services. There was a huge uproar about a year back when it came to light that none of the officals who sit on the metro board have ever been on the DC metro. Fixing transportation should be on top of the list if there is some hope of doing something about the emissions. Public transportation to get popular should become cool and irresistible.

I have not posted a bean recipe in quite a while and wanted to set it right. I have been cooking a lot of beans but nothing new. I wanted to make something similar to those bean burgers that we find in the frozen section and they do make a decent meal.
I started out pan frying and then put them in the oven as impatientce took over. But the pan fried ones are much more moist and tastier than the baked ones.

Black Bean Vegetable Burger
1. 2 cups black beans soaked overnight
2. 2 potatoes
3. 1 cup green beans
4. 2 carrots peeled and diced
5. a handful of green peas
6. 4 green chilies chopped fine
7. 4 garlic pods chopped
8. 2 tsp chili powder (suit to taste)
9. salt to taste
10. garlic 2 inch piece (half grated, half pounded)

Method
1. Pressure cook the black beans with the pounded ginger till soft
2. Steam the potatoes and other veggies
3. Fish out the ginger and mash the beans gently and mixed with the mashed veggies (press the water out)
4. Mash the potatoes and mix with the chopped chilies, garlic, grated ginger
5. Now shape them into patties of desired size
6. Spray on both sides and bake at 325F for 7 minutes on both sides. Remove from the oven and let it rest outside. (if left in the oven for too long they get too dry)

Serve on sandwich buns. I use cream cheese instead of mayo and they tasted great with some sliced tomatoes, onions and relish.