Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups dried black beans, rinsed and picked over, then soaked for 4 hours and drained
• Kosher salt
• 3 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup farro
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup coarse fresh bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped basil
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Vegetable oil, for sautéing
• 8 toasted buns
• Red pepper spread and thickly sliced red onions, for serving
• 1 small red bell pepper
• 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pimentón de la Vera (smoked Spanish paprika)

Steps

Make the spread

1. Roast the pepper over a gas flame until charred and soft. Cool, peel, seed and chop, then puree in a food processor with feta and pimentón. Transfer the spread to a bowl and serve.

Make the burgers

1. In a saucepan, cover beans with 2 inches water and simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 1 hour. Add water as needed to keep them covered by 2 inches. Once tender, salt them, leave 5 minutes and drain.
2. Meanwhile, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan. Cook farro over moderately high heat, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups water and a pinch of salt, bring to a boil, cover and simmer until al dente, 30 minutes.
3. In a small skillet, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and cook diced onion over moderate heat until soft. Add crushed red pepper and garlic and cook until fragrant, 2 minutes.
4. Pulse all but 1/2 cup beans in a food processor to a chunky puree and transfer to a bowl. Fold in the remaining 1/2 cup beans, farro, onion mixture, eggs, bread crumbs, basil, cilantro, pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Form 8 patties, cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
5. Heat 1/8 inch vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet. Cook the burgers over moderate heat, turning once, until browned and heated through, about 6 minutes. Move to buns, top with red pepper spread and onion slices, close and serve.