"At my school, I have always enjoyed when we have outdoor grilled lunches. But as a vegetarian, there is not really much for me to eat, as the menu is always hot dogs and hamburgers," says Mira. "I decided to create a healthy, delicious, and vegetarian grilled lunch. Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will devour this scrumptious meal!" Mira likes to have this with a spinach and dried-cranberry salad and frozen mango-banana smoothie. - Mira Solomon, age 10, Georgia

Makes 5 servings

Ingredients: 

For the Black Bean Burgers: 

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ onion, peeled and chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Pinch salt and pepper
• ⅓ cup cilantro
• ½ cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs whites
• 5 whole-wheat buns

For the Carrot Salad:

• 2 pounds carrots, peeled and shredded
• 2 cups peeled fresh pineapple chunks, chopped
• ¾ cup raisins
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ¼ cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt

For the Avocado Spread:

• 1 avocado
• 1 lime (zest and juice)
• Pinch of salt

Preparation: 

1. Make the Black Bean Burgers: In a small sauté pan, warm the olive oil. Add the onions and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, or until the onion is soft. Add the beans, chili powder, salt and pepper, and cilantro. Let cool for 5 minutes, then place in a food processor. Pulse about 5 times, or until coarsely chopped. Pour into a bowl and add the breadcrumbs and egg whites and combine thoroughly. Let sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
2. Make the Carrot Salad: In a large bowl, combine carrots, pineapple, and raisins. In a separate small bowl, stir honey and yogurt until blended. Toss with salad. Let sit for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill. Shape the burger mix into 5 patties and grill on grill topper/basket until cooked through and crispy on each side, about 5 minutes per side.
4. Make the Avocado Spread: Blend avocado and zest and juice of one lime with salt to taste in a food processor until smooth, about 30 seconds. Spread over Black Bean Burgers and serve with Carrot Salad.

393 calories; 15g fat; 43g carbohydrates; 15g protein

More information about the Kids' State Dinner:

• Check out the other winning 2014 Kids' State Dinner Recipes here.
• Learn more about Kids' State Dinner here.