Sweet Potato + Black Bean Burger

With all of the baby food making we've been doing lately, we've had some new {to us} foods around the house.  One specifically has been the sweet potato.  There was actually quite the debate on this one!  Ryan called to ask if there was a difference between yams and sweet potatoes to which I told him, of course there is!  Well, what he brought home did not look like the orange sweet potatoes that I was familiar with.  I looked it up and turns out that yams and sweet potatoes are pretty interchangeable.  Who knew?  Not me!  So I guess Ethan's first real food was actually yams...oops!  

Anyway...these burgers use "sweet potatoes" which are actually white on the inside.  Regardless, they were REALLY good and super flavorful.  

They just might not look as pretty is all.  But what they lack in the vibrant orange department, they definitely make up for in flavor.  Not to mention the roasted garlic cream spread was pretty much to.die.for!  Best part?  No mayo included...it's overall a pretty healthy recipe!

Recipe adapted from How Sweet It is

{ingredients}

2 cups coarsely mashed sweet potatoes (or yams), about 2 large potatoes

2 bulbs of roasted garlic

1 cup black beans (rinsed and drained if canned)

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/3 cup panko bread crumbs

1/3 cup flour

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon cumin

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

1 avocado, sliced

2/3 cup plain greek yogurt

1 teaspoon maple syrup

extra salt and pepper for seasoning yogurt/cream

4 whole wheat buns

{method}

To roast garlic, see this tutorial.

Pierce potatoes all over with a fork and place on a paper towel, setting in the microwave. Microwave for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for 5 minutes more. Remove, slice in half lengthwise and let cool until you can scoop out the flesh.

In a large bowl, coarsely mash beans with a fork. Add in sweet potato and mash together, then add in spices, salt and pepper, minced garlic, egg, panko and flour. Mix together until combined, then place bowl in the fridge for 15-20 minutes. This helps form them into patties, but as a warning they are still somewhat messy.

While mixture is chilling, combine yogurt with 2 bulbs (squeezed out) of roasted garlic cloves, maple syrup and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth then set aside until ready to use.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Remove mixture from fridge and form into 4 equal patties, then place in the skillet once hot. Since the mixture can be wet and messy, do not move until they are fully cooked and golden on one side! This takes about 5-6 minutes. Then, add more oil if needed (this really helps cook them) and flip burgers very gently. Cook for another 5-6 minutes. Toast buns if desired.

Assemble by topping burgers with roasted garlic cream and avocado.

xo natasha

Linked to: Tasty Tuesdays