Spanish Veggie Burger Bites

A healthy summer dish your little ones will love!

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Burgers are a summer favorite amongst kids everywhere. The only issue is, these juicy bites can pack a ton of fat and are low in nutritional value. Fortunately, there is a way you can give your little ones a happy meal that's both healthy and delicious. iMag teamed up with Anni Daulter, author of Organically Raised: Conscious Cooking for Babies and Toddlers for her veggie burger recipe that's full of protein, fiber and flavor!

Spanish Veggie Burger Bites

Makes 5 servings

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the baking sheets
1 Small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 Garlic clove, crushed
1/2 Cup mushrooms, chopped
1/2 Cup celery, chopped
1 Medium green bell pepper, finely chopped
1 Tablespoon ground flaxseed
1 Tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
Grated rind of 1 lemon
Fine sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 Cans (15 ounces each) kidney or black beans, rinsed and drained
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
1 Egg, beaten
1 Cup dried panko bread crumbs
1 Cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/2 Cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
1/3 Cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 Teaspoon thyme

Directions:

- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with oil.

- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion, garlic, mushrooms, celery and bell pepper until lightly browned. Add the flaxseed, soy sauce, lemon rind and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for five minutes and then remove the mixture from the heat.

- Mash the beans and tomato paste together with a fork or potato masher in a large bowl. Mix in the onion mixture, egg, bread crumbs, cheeses, cilantro and thyme.

- Form small patties with approximately two tablespoons of the bean mixture. Place the patties on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until crisp. Flip the patties halfway through cooking.

Note: For babies 8-months or older who want to pick up food and practice chewing, serve this dish warm and cut it up into small bites. For older children, serve each patty whole on a bun with a nice organic ketchup dipping sauce.

Recipe provided by Rodale Inc.

For more quick meals for moms check out iMag's Food Page.