Mediterranean Gyro Bean Burgers

Ingredients

Ingredients for burgers:
• 1 15.4-oz. jar of Randall Beans Great Northern Beans
• 1 15.4-oz. jar of Randall Bean Garbanzo Beans
• 3.5 oz crispy onions (Fresh Gourmet from Kroger)
• 1 Tbsp. Italian breadcrumbs (optional)
• 2 Tbsp. sundried tomatoes (jar with oil preferable)
• 2 cups packed baby spinach
• 1 Tbsp. roasted garlic
• 2 lemons
• Pinch of sea salt and pepper
• 1/2 packed cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
• Pita bread
Ingredients for tzatziki sauce and cucumber salad:
• 2 large English cucumbers
• 2 Tbsp. fresh dill
• 2 Tbsp. Red wine vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. Olive oil
• Juice of second lemon in previous recipe
• 2 cups Greek yogurt (or non-dairy substitute)
• 1/2 tsp. each Dried tyme, cumin, ground coriander, ground cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Drain and rinse both jars of beans. Using a large food processor, pulse for about 15 seconds or until beans are mostly indistinguishable, but not pureed. You can also hand mash with a potato masher, but the food processor will give the best consistency. Remove from food processor and set aside in large bowl.
2. Coarsely chop spinach and parsley and put in food processor. Add the juice of one lemon and two tablespoons of sundried tomatoes. Add one heaping tablespoon of minced roasted garlic. Pulse until combined, about ten seconds.
3. Add spinach mix to bowl of bean mixture. Salt and pepper desired amount. Don't be afraid to taste! Blend together well, noting the consistency will be fairly wet and loose.
4. With hands (or with cleaned and dried food processor) crush bag of dried onions. Add to wet mixture and combine. If mixture is still too wet to hold together, add a tablespoon of Italian breadcrumbs (or a gluten free flour) one at a time until proper consistency forms.
5. On a cookie sheet, hand-patty the bean mixture into individual bugers, less than an inch thick. Unlike meat, bean burgers will not shrink during cooking.
6. Chill for 30 minutes. While patties are chilling, you can throw together a quick cucumber salad and tzatziki sauce!
7. Thinly slice one and 3/4 of the cucumbers. Reserve other portion for the tzatziki. Combine cucumber slices with two tablespoons of red wine vinegar and a tablespoon of olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Add two tablespoons of fresh dill and combine. Set aside.
8. In clean food processor, add two cups of Greek yogurt (or substitute), juice of remaining lemon, tablespoon of fresh dill, 1/2 tsp each of cumin, dried thyme, ground coriander seed, and a dash or two of cayenne pepper. Add remaining portion of cucumber. Pulse until well blended. Pour into small jar with a lid and place in fridge to chill.
9. Place large non-stick saute pan over medium to medium high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. (You can also use an outdoor grill, but using aluminum foil under burgers to prevent sticking is recommended).
10. Place patties in hot pan, making sure you don't overcrowd. Cook 2-4 minutes per side, ensuring you get a nice brown crust. Use a long flexible spatula to carefully flip.
11. Once cooked, move to a paper towel lined plate to absorb extra oil from cooking. Arrange cucumber salad on top of one half of the Pita bread, add extra baby spinach, place bean burger on top, and drizzle with tzatziki sauce. Top with other half of pita.