Gluten-free bean burgers with avocado and sweet potato fries

Ingredients

• 2 sweet potatoes (approx. 600 g)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for the fries)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (for the fries)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 400 g black beans (canned, drained and rinsed)
• 200 g chickpeas (canned, drained and rinsed)
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 3 tablespoons cornmeal (or buckwheat flour)
• 1 egg
• Olive oil for frying
• 2 ripe avocados
• Juice of 1 lime
• Handful of fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)
• Extra lime wedges for serving

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 180°C). Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into even fries about 1 cm thick.Pat the fries dry with kitchen paper, toss them with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper and a pinch of smoked paprika. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and roast for 30–35 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Turn them halfway through.Place the drained black beans and chickpeas in a bowl and roughly mash them with a fork or potato masher. You want a coarse texture, not a smooth puree—chunks give bite.Add the finely chopped red onion, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, cornmeal, egg and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Mix everything well. Let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for 10 minutes so it firms up a bit.Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form firm patties. Press them lightly flat, about 2 cm thick.Heat a frying pan over medium heat with a splash of olive oil. Fry the burgers 4–5 minutes per side until they have a nice brown crust. Work in batches if your pan isn't large enough.Make the avocado cream: mash the ripe avocado with lime juice, a pinch of salt and, if you like, a small clove of garlic. Stir in a tablespoon of fresh cilantro or parsley if desired.Serve the burgers on a plate with a generous spoonful of avocado cream on top and the crispy sweet potato fries on the side. Garnish with a few lime wedges and some fresh green herbs.