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Photo credit: SERV International |
You might be able to imagine our curiosity when we were challenged by the Association of Food Bloggers to participate in the SERV’n It Up Contest to come up with a creative recipe featuring SERV International‘s life-sustaining vegetable blend. The meal packets come in a dry form that when mixed with water and heated, provide vital nutrients to starving individuals. The mixture contains de-hydrated potatoes, rice, fortified textured vegetable protein, caramel color, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, vitamin B6, riboflavin. vitamin B1, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin B12, carrots, and onions which provides 680 calories per serving. SERV International provided us with a generous supply of the mix (enough to prepare 8 servings) to craft an enticing recipe.
With the summer season heating up, we thought the mix would make a wonderful vegetarian burger that could be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Black beans are a healthy addition which improves the color and texture of the patties.
SERV Black Bean Burgers
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- ¼ cup SERV vegetable mix (or substitute 1 cup cooked rice)
- 1 cup water
- 1 can (15-ounce) black beans, rinsed and drained
- ¼ cup quick-cook oats
- ½ medium onion, coarsely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Combine SERV vegetable mix with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and give the mix a good stir then cover and simmer over low heat for 20 or so minutes. Once tender, remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cool, drain the mixture well in a sieve, patting with a paper towel to remove excess moisture if necessary.
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Dust your hands with corn starch and divide the bean mixture into 4 balls. Flatten the balls down to form burger patties. Dust a little corn starch on each patty; not too much, just a sprinkle. (You can freeze the patties at this point in a single layer in air tight containers).
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SERV International is doing amazing things to help feed those in need. You can help by visiting http://servone.org/serv1feed1 to donate, and by spreading the word about these lifesaving meals on Google+, Facebook, and on Twitter at hashtag #5centmeal.