Spicy Bean Burgers with Avocado Salsa

Method

1. Place the tomatoes in a bowl and pour over boiling water, leave for 1 minute, drain the water off and gently remove the skin by peeling it off with a small sharp knife.

2. Cut the tomatoes in half and using a teaspoon, scoop out the seeds and discard. Set the remaining tomato flesh aside.

3. Finely dice the onion, deseed the chilli and chop very finely.  Slice the avocado in half, remove the stone and then using a spoon scoop out the flesh in one half and then finely chop.

4. Slice the tomato flesh and yellow pepper into very small juice and then combine all of the ingredients into a bowl.  Pour over the lime juice, finely chop the coriander and stir through. Season to taste, cover and leave to stand in the fridge until ready to use.

5. Finely chop the onion and crush the garlic. Trim the ends from the courgette and carrots and then coarsely grate using a handheld grater.  Finely chop the coriander and set aside.

6. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large frying pan and add the onion, fry gently for around 5 minutes or until softened and slightly coloured at the edges.

7. Add the garlic, courgettes and carrots to the pan, turn up the heat to medium – high and fry for a further 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the carrots and courgettes have softened and cooked through.

8. Add the peanut butter and harissa to the pan, season well and continue to cook for 3 minutes, stirring regularly, until blended with the vegetables.

9. Take off the heat and leave to stand for 5 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Meanwhile, drain and rinse the kidney beans and place them in a food processor. Blitz until you have a smooth paste and then transfer to a large mixing bowl. Alternatively, you can place the kidney beans into the mixing bowl and mash by hand, using a fork, until you have a thick paste.

10. Add the cooked rice, coriander and vegetable mixture to the beans and beat together until combined and pulled into a large ball.

11. Take a handful of the mixture – about 3 tablespoons worth – and shape into a patty approximately 2 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick.

12. Scatter the sesame seeds over a flat plate, season and mix together before lightly rolling the burgers in them so that they are evenly coated. Cover the burgers in clingfilm and refrigerate for 1 hour before cooking.

13. When ready to cook, heat the remaining olive oil in a large frying pan and cook for about 10 minutes, turning over once or twice, until golden brown and cooked through.

If you’re looking for more vegan burger ideas, check out these sweet potato burgers.