Prepare Today Homemade- Ultimate Veggie Burger

School is in session!!!  Do I hear cheers from all the Mom's across the land :)  I'm kidding (sort of), but with the kids back in school I am making 5 lunches a day.  I am a home lunch maker and I get excited to make fun lunches for my kids, plus I know exactly what is going in their lunches.  I use the Easy Lunch Boxes and they make it so simple to pack my kids' lunches.  

Easy Lunch Box system

 For lunch tomorrow I made Mini-Ultimate Black Bean Veggie Burgers with mini-buns, cheese/lettuce, homemade granola bars, oranges and a peanut butter cracker.  I also packed a small container to hold the ketchup so it didn't make the bun soggy by lunchtime.  The veggie burger recipe is so yummy and when they are warm they look just like grilled meat!  My 8 year old son devoured a test burger and asked for another.  I told him they were for lunch tomorrow to save all my burgers from consumption :)

Sorry about the picture, it was late!

The Ultimate Black Bean Veggie Burger  

(Parents Magazine October 2010)

1 can black beans rinsed and drained

1 medium onion, quartered

1/2 C rolled oats

1 T chili powder

salt to taste

pepper to taste

1 egg

water for thinning if needed

Place all ingredients (except water) in a food processor and pulse until chunky, but not pureed.  If it seems dry add water a little at a time until moist, not soggy.  With wet hands form mixture into patties; refrigerate 15-20 minutes.  (this helps them stay together while cooking) 

Heat a large skillet or griddle over med-high heat and add just enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan.  Cook the patties until browned on each side, about 5 minutes.  Serve on buns with the usual burger fixings.  

(I am going to make these again with added veggies in them, like carrots, mushrooms, and maybe some red onion)

**To make the buns I used my favorite bread recipe and shaped them into little buns and cooked for about 20 minutes.**

These are some of the websites where I get lunch ideas:
easylunchboxes
bento luches 
luches fit for a kid
360 lunch boxes