Vegan Jerk Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries

yummers! (sans the huge onion slice)

I've been eating way less meat lately. Not turning into a veg head or anything, but cutting meat from every single meal is a cheaper, healthier way to live. It makes things that much easier when I come across recipes like Pineapple Jerk Burgers. Oh, my. Yummy <3

Pineapple Jerk Burgers (makes 6 patties)

14-16oz. can white beans (butter beans or cannellini work well)
3/4 cup brown rice, cooked + lightly salted
2 Tbsp tahini
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp Jerk Spice Mix (Cajun spices would be nice too!)
1 cup sweet potato, diced (about 1 small sweet potato or 1/2 a large potato)
1-2 tsp maple or agave syrup (optional for a sweet kick)
1/4 cup white onion, chopped
Panko bread crumbs

2 sweet potatoes (for fries)

other: buns, fresh pineapple rings, condiments of choice, lettuce/tomato/onion

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

For Rice: You want your rice to be on the sticky / wet side - not too dry or nutty. Moist.
For Sweet Potatoes: for better, sweeter flavor, bake the potato. For faster prep - you can dice and boil. If boiling, cook until they are just tender enough to mash with a fork. For the fries, peel the skin off the potato and slice into thin strips (about 1/8 inch). Then fry-cut potatoes can be set aside for now.

In a large bowl, add the beans, tahini, lemon juice, jerk spice. Mash the beans until a thick hummus-like texture forms. Add in the sweet potato and rice. Mash some more. Fold in the onion and salt and pepper - plus optional maple syrup.

Roll formed patties in Panko bread crumbs. Lightly cook in safflower oil - about 1-2 tsp. 

While the burgers are cooking you can do the fries. Saute them in the safflower oil and spices for about five minutes until all sides are browned and bubble. Then finish the fries off in the oven by baking them for another ten minutes - or until tender. To crisp up your fries - finish them off in the oven at a high temperature - 400 or so. 

Prep your burger components- slice the onion, ring the pineapple and wash the lettuce. Toss the pineapple ring in a bit of EVOO + jerk spices and place in the oven for about ten minutes to "grill" on the rack until tender.

Serve! Pile your burgers and toppings. Serve with fries.