Butter Beans Burger

When I was 12, my grandmother sent me a birthday card saying that I had finally reached the age of wisdom and reason… Yeah, about that, sorry to break it to you Gran, but I think it took a couple of decades before I got the message. Or did I? Immature with knowledge and experience it is then!

My point is, as you grow older, you realise that things are not always the way they were, ideas for a start, opinions and views. A Matrix moment sure happened. For me, it came in the form of anthropomorphism, the guilt and sympathy towards animals V my natural metabolism’s needs. As a cook or whatever you want to call me (I am not a fan of foodie, but that’s just me… No offence), I found myself drawn towards vegetarian dishes. More challenging I guess? Anyway, for now it makes me feel better.

When I first moved to Ireland 20 years ago, I used to treat myself to a veggie burger from the local chipper. Don’t ask me why, it just tasted ok. I had bought a can of organic butter beans the other day and wanted to do something with it other than hummus… The butternut squash I had bought a fortnight ago started to look sad and jealous… I had to put an end to its misery…

First, I cut the butternut squash in half, ready to roast with a bit of olive oil. My plan was to use it as a relish.

I washed and drained the beans and put them in my blender with and egg, a garlic clove, 100g of grated Irish Coolea Gouda, a drizzle of lemon juice and a teaspoon or Irish honey. I used a ring to shape them and covered the burgers with fine toasted bread crumbs. On a baking tray with a bit of oil in the oven it went for 15 minutes at 200c.

And a bit of fun before the whiz…

The final touch was a blue cheese sauce. I used 100g of Irish Bellingham Blue from Co. Louth, 10cl of fresh cream, thyme and cracked black pepper. You can put all the ingredients together and gently simmer until reduced.

The rest is history, as I stood in the patio while looking at a hail stones shower. It looks like this month of May was being unreasonable, unwise and temperamental… A bit like someone I know.