Red Lentil Burgers - Yes another burger recipe!

Hi,

Okay, I like burgers, what can I say? This recipe I adapted from a Boston Globe recipe. It's a bit unusual because it's vegetarian, but it still has a lot of flavor and they are quite delicious. I've only made it with red lentils which are more difficult to find, but I have found them in a larger grocery store and in an Indian market. You can also probably get them at a Whole Foods store.

1 cup dried red lentils

Rinse the red lentils and check for debris and small stones.

4 cups water

Place the rinsed lentils and water in a small pot. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. The lentils will lose some of their color and will looked like they are mashed. Place the lentils in a colander and allow them to drain while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 green or red pepper, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped

Heat the oil in a medium frying pan, when hot add the rest of the ingredients. Cook for about 10 minutes until the onion just starts to brown.

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, cilantro, or other fresh herbs

Add the garlic and herbs and cook for 1 minutes longer. Place mixture in a large mixing bowl, allow to cool. Press out as much liquid as you can from the lentils and add to the onion mixture.

1 cup fresh bread crumbs (If you don't have fresh, dried crumbs are okay)
1/2 teaspoon salt
Fresh ground pepper

Mix in bread crumbs. Season with salt and pepper.

1 egg

Finally mix in the egg. After mixing well, form mixture into 6 to 8 burgers. I usually just form them on a piece of waxed paper or on a cutting board.

2 tablespoons olive oil

Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, when hot add burgers. I find it's better not to fuss at the burgers, but let them cook on one side and then carefully turn them over to cook on the other side. Total cooking time about 6-10 minutes total. The burgers should be golden brown.

We usually eat these without a bun. But, they would be excellent also served on a bun. I also like to serve them with tahini sauce on the side. Here's the recipe. Just mix together and served on the side or if you're doing the bun, you can use it as the secret sauce.

Tahini Sauce
1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
3 gloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice

The lentil burgers heat up well for leftovers and pack well served cold in a lunch. Hope you enjoy these as much as I have.

Hugs,
Mameekosan