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You know what I find hard?
Making business decisions when I honestly have zero business experience. Unless you count my little jewelry making business I had in sixth grade, but that only lasted a few months. But hey, it did actually make it into a store over at Beachwood Mall on the East Side of Cleveland. I thought  it was the coolest thing ever…until I got bored and moved on to my next project.
Kind of wishing life could be that easy and care free again.
Anyway, I know I have said this before but I totally stink at making any kind of decision, so when it comes to decisions about what to do, and what not do, with this blog and ultimately my career I stress and cry to my mom for help.
FYI, she’s not that helpful, but only because these are kind of my decisions to make.
I feel like if I had maybe just a few more years one me these kind of decisions might be easier for me to make.
It’s not that these things I have to decide on are anything huge. No, more just how I want to keep moving forward and the steps I need to take to get where I want to be. It’s a lot of emailing and phone calls and just a little stress on my brain, but it’s a good thing. I guess.
Kind of scary though because I really feel like an adult. I mean, don’t get me wrong, there are many times that I feel like I am still sixteen and I have not a clue how I got to be twenty (or even how I made it to twenty). It’s all just weird, scary and exciting… and all at the same time.
And now I am rambling and probably not making any sense at all.
But just know, I am terrible with decisions. BIG or small, I totally stress over them.
Moving on.
To the burgers!
The vegetarian burgers that my family loved.
Granted, I think it was the cheese that kept them from not noticing what was really going on, but still. A no meat burger that my family will actually eat, it’s got to be a good one.
The burgers are a really simple base of black beans and rice, classic Cuban food. The beans and rice get seasoned with a little cumin and a handful of cheese. Then comes the mojo sauce, which is just so very good. It’s not a thick sauce, but a good drizzle of it on the buns and then again over the burger is so good.
The slaw? Well I know it is so predictable of me, but the mango slaw really works, and I just can’t get enough of these fresh flavors.
Oh, and the garlic tostones are the topping on the cake. I mean burger!
They are just fried plantains, but they are so good. Serve them on the side or right on top of your burger. Personally, IÂ am a texture freak, so on the burger it was.
Cuban Black Bean and Rice Mojo Burgers with Slaw + Garlic Tostones.
Servings: 4 Burgers
Calories Per Serving: 1252 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Mango Slaw
- 2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped
- 2 mangos peeled and julienned (sliced into thin strips)
- 1/2 red pepper chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Mojo
- 1 cup cilantro leaves
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon each salt paprika and ground cumin
Black Bean and Rice Burgers
- 2 cups steamed white or brown rice
- 1 1/2 cups black beans mashed
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 clove garlic grated
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt + peper
- 3/4 cup provolone cheese shredded
- 4 slices pepper jack cheese
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 of [your favorite burger buns | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/everything-bagel-slider-buns/]
Garlic Tostones
- 2 inch plantains chopped into 1 pieces
- 1 cup canola oil for frying
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup water
- flaked sea salt
Instructions
Slaw
- Combine the lime juice, orange juice, fish sauce, and cilantro in a medium size bowl. Add the mangos and red pepper. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside until ready to use.
Mojo
- Add the cilantro, orange juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, paprika and cumin to a blender or food processor and blend until chunky-smooth, about 1 minute. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
Burgers
- In a bowl combine the rice, mashed black beans, egg, garlic, cumin, cilantro, salt and pepper. Mix well to moisten the ingredients and then mix in the shredded provolone cheese. Mix well again and form into 4-5 equal burger patties (I made 5).
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Grab the burgers and cook until golden and crisp, about five minutes per side. During the last minute or so of cooking add the pepper jack cheese, cover the pan and cook 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has melted. My burgers were not crumbly at all and very easy to flip. Keep warm.
- Heat the broiler to high. Rub the mojo sauce on the inside of your burger bun and toast for 30 seconds to one minute. Remove and add a burger to the bottom bun. Top with slaw and garlic tostones (below). Add the top half of the bun and serve with the remaining mojo sauce.
Garlic Tostones
- Add the garlic and water to a medium size bowl. Set aside.
- Heat an inch or so of oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot add the plantains and fry for 2-3 minutes per side or until just lightly golden. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Now transfer the plantains to a cutting board and using the back of a wooden spoon smash them down into flat disks. Add the plantains to the bowl of garlic water and let them soak 2 minutes. Remove them from the water and dab dry with a paper towel. Return the plantains to the hot oil and fry another 2-3 minutes on each side or until they are golden and crispy. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and sprinkle with salt. Serve along side or atop the burgers.
Notes
*Garlic Tostones adapted from [Pinch of Yum | http://pinchofyum.com/garlic-tostones-puerto-rican-fried-plantains]. *The burgers cab be made in the oven or on the grill, but I prefer pan frying them as I think they stay moist this way and I love how they get crispy on the outside. *I like to make the tostones while the burgers are cooking so they are done around the same time.
Oh, and did I mention I am getting crazy excited for burger season? Because I am, and the ideas are flowing.
I understand every single emotion that you are going through right now ’cause honestly it’s the exact same on this end. I just finished my education phase and now I am at a crossroads where I have NO IDEA where to go! I have a million options before me but nothing appeals to me and I can’t seem to make any decisions at all. So, just like you said, Mom’s at the rescue every single time! I’m pretty sure things will work out! 🙂 This burger is DELICIOUS!!!! Apart from chicken, I’m not really a meat lover so this is singing to me and I can’t wait to try it!!!! 🙂
Good luck with all your decisions. That is so hard~~
Thanks so much, Samina!
What a big delicious burger! Lovin’ those burger buns too.
You’re so good at this Tieghan!
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Aww! Thanks so much! Hope you have a great Thursday! 🙂
More burgers, less decisions!! 😛
Yes, yes and YES! 🙂
I am LOVING these flavors and I am totally trying this out! Pinned for your pleasure!
Thanks Sophia! 🙂
I’m 23, I’m going to be a doctor in a few years, and I still really rely on my mom and dad’s advice when I make a decision. But you know what? I’m darn glad they’re around to help me out and be my sounding board! I know I COULD make certain decisions on my own, but why shouldn’t I get their advice? Oh, and these burgers are so getting made after I recover from my wisdom teeth surgery!
I am so glad for my parents. They everything a little easier to decide on!!
Thanks Jordan!
PS good luck with the surgery! Heal fast!
Gorgeous burgers!!
Thanks Brenda!
This looks every kind of amazing!
Thank you! 🙂
Gorgeous!! Now I’m ready for grilling season 🙂
Thanks Rachel!
Oh my gosh… I dread any kind of contract or business conversation. I totally know what you mean.
Thank you for putting up this awesome looking veggie burger. Vegetarians get no love at barbecues, so I definitely appreciate you sharing this.
So glad I am not alone.
And I actually think I prefer a bean burger. So good! Thanks Brian!
You’re definitely not alone in stressing over decisions! I think I stress about big decisions, oh, like all the time. Good news? There’s mothers for comfort and also burgers. Speaking of which, these burgers are freaking gorgeous! They totally look like big ‘ol beef burger and I’m kind of in awe that they’re meatless. Love that fresh mango slaw and obv those good-lookin plantains! Pinned. 😀
Thanks Sarah!!
I totally stress about big decisions too. I can be spontaneous about certain things, but other times I feel like I’m stuck and overthink TOO much. I’m in the midst of making some very big decisions too, and it is haaaaard.
This burger looks delicious Tieghan!
Good luck with your decisions!!
Thanks Laura!
These look amazing and I’m with you on Mango slaw that and mango salsa can’t get enough of. Don’t second guess yourself you’ve made excellent decisions so far with your blog….follow your gut and continue to bounce ideas off your mom I still do everyday!!!
Thanks so much!
Always looking for a good black bean burger recipe, and that slaw, it’s calling my name! Looks delish!
Thanks Kathy!
Yep. I feel ya on decision making! I used to cry to my mom. Until I moved half way across the world from her and don’t wanna see my first born child to call her all the time. Sad day. But these burgers? I’m into them. I love texture so these are right up my alley! Pinned!
That is so hard. I am not sure I could live so far from my mom!! Yikes!
Thanks so much, Taylor!
I totally stress about everything as well! I have a huge decision to make plus exams next week and I’m trying to avoid freaking out by reading your gorgeous blog! Best of luck with the decisions! 🙂
Best of luck to you!! Exams are so stressful!
Thanks!