Kidney Bean Burger

For Burger Patty:

• ¾ cup Red kidney beans, (dry beans)
• 1 medium or 1 cup sweet potato, boiled, peeled and mashed
• 1 tablespoons oil
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced or grated
• 1 Green chili, chopped finely
• Salt, to taste
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• ½ cup cilantro or coriander leaves, chopped finely
• 2 teaspoon lemon juice or lime juice
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, more or less

For Yogurt Sauce:

• 1 cup yogurt, thick (or use greek yogurt)
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce

For Topping:

• 2 teaspoons oil
• ½ large onion, sliced thickly
• ½ or large Bell pepper, sliced thickly
• Salt, to taste
• ½ teaspoon mixed Italian herbs

For Burger:

• 3-4 tablespoons oil, for shallow frying patties
• 6-8 soft burger buns

Directions

Wash, Soak, Cook, and Mash:

1) Wash the red kidney beans under cold running water until the water runs clear, or rinse them until the water is longer cloudy.

Soak them in enough water – for at least 8 hours or overnight. Or go for a quick soaking method: Take kidney beans and water (at least 2 inches above the beans) in a saucepan. Let it come to a boil on medium heat. Once it starts boiling, turn off the stove, cover it and let it sit for 1 hour.

2) Drain the soaking water. Add 2 fresh cups of water and cook the beans.

Instant pot: Pressure cook (manual) high pressure 8-10 minutes.

Stove-top: simmer for 30-40 minutes. You may need more water.

Stove-top pressure cooker: 1 whistle on high heat, then lower the heat and cook for 10 minutes.

Also, boil the sweet potato. I have cooked both beans and sweet potato at the same time in the instant pot.

Alternatively, you can oven roast the sweet potato slices.

3) Drain the cooked beans completely. Make sure to get rid of all the water and the beans are as dried as possible.

Mash them with a fork or potato masher.

4) Also, peel and mash the sweet potato. Measure it to 1 cup and keep it aside.

Cooking Onion, Spice Mixture:

5) Heat the 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan on medium heat. Once hot, add chopped onions, green chilies, and minced ginger.

Sprinkle a little salt to speed up the process.

6) Stir and cook until the  onion becomes soft and light pink.

7) Now add spices (turmeric powder, red chili powder, and garam masala).

8) Mix well and cook for 30 seconds. Then turn off the stove.

Let the mixture cool down slightly.

Making Patty Mixture for the Burger:

9) Take mashed kidney beans and sweet potatoes in a bowl.

10) Add cooked onion mixture, cilantro, lime juice, and remaining salt.

11) Mix and use your judgment on how much breadcrumbs to add. I have added ½ cup.

12) Mix everything well. The mixture should come together like a dough ball. It should not be too soft or too sticky.