Maasai Bean Burger

Ingredients

The Maasai Bean Burger differs from the original San Antonio Bean Burger in terms of ingredients and flavor profile. While the original recipe focuses on American flavors and spices, the Maasai adaptation incorporates traditional Maasai spices and ingredients to create a unique taste. Additionally, the Maasai Bean Burger is served with a tomato and onion relish, which adds a refreshing element to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for San Antonio Bean Burger, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (400g) cooked beans (such as kidney beans or black beans) 2 cups (400g) cooked beans (such as kidney beans or black beans)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Maasai spice blend (a mix of coriander, cumin, turmeric, and chili powder) 1 teaspoon Maasai spice blend (a mix of coriander, cumin, turmeric, and chili powder)
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 burger buns, toasted 4 burger buns, toasted
• Tomato and onion relish: Tomato and onion relish:
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 60g, 8g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 12g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, mash the cooked beans using a fork or potato masher until they form a chunky paste.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, Maasai spice blend, salt, and pepper to the mashed beans. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
3. 3.
   Divide the bean mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each portion into a patty.
4. 4.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the bean patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and heated through.
5. 5.
   In the meantime, prepare the tomato and onion relish by combining the diced tomatoes, chopped onion, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well.
6. 6.
   To assemble the burgers, place each bean patty on a toasted bun and top with a generous amount of tomato and onion relish.
7. 7.
   Serve the Maasai Bean Burgers warm and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beans — Make sure the cooked beans are well-drained before mashing them to achieve the right consistency for the patties.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, you can mix some chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley into the bean mixture before shaping the patties.
• If you prefer a spicier burger, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot chili powder to the bean mixture.
• To make the burger more filling, you can add some avocado slices or lettuce as additional toppings.
• If you don't have a grill or skillet, you can also bake the bean patties in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Serving advice

Serve the Maasai Bean Burgers with a side of traditional Maasai cornmeal porridge (ugali) and a fresh salad of mixed greens and sliced cucumbers. This combination provides a balanced and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Maasai Bean Burgers, you can garnish them with a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley, on top of the tomato and onion relish. Serve them on a wooden platter or a Maasai-inspired plate to showcase the cultural fusion.