Vegan Burger

Name: Vegan Burger
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cremini or button mushrooms, finely chopped; 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained, rinsed, and mashed; 1 cup cooked brown rice or quinoa; 1/2 cup bread crumbs (or gluten-free bread crumbs); 1/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped (for crunch and richness); 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (adds cheesy, umami flavor); 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water (for the "flax egg"); 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (for that char-grilled flavor); Salt and pepper, to taste