Spicy Lentil Burgers

This recipe is my submission for the "Love Your Lentils" contest. It's a a competition challenging Canadians to come up with "innovative, creative, and totally cool lentil recipes...that could become staples on any family dinner table."  The winner will travel to Saskatchewan in June to spend a day with Chef Michael Smith! Yes, the same Michael Smith that I have posted about numerous times, and who regularly fills up my PVR. Be still my heart!

I'd love to have your vote! Simply go here, and click on the yellow badge to vote. It's super fast and easy, with no registration required. You can vote daily until May 31st, and I'd be delighted to have your support. The winner will be chosen by judges from the top 10 as selected by voters, so I just need to get in the top 10 to advance.



1 Tblsp olive oil (more if pan-frying)
2 Tblsp diced onion
1/3 C grated carrot
1 C dried lentils
2 3/4 C water
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp coriander
2 Tblsp nutritional yeast
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1 jalapeno, roasted skin and seeds removed, diced
1 C rolled oats (processed to yield about 3/4 C)
2/3 C dried breadcrumbs

Turn oven to broil. Place jalapeno under the broiler for several minutes, until the skin blackens. Flip over to blacken the other side. Remove from oven. Once cool enough to touch, remove the skins and seeds, and dice the flesh. Set aside.

Saute onions and carrots in olive oil until soft. Stir in dried lentils, and toast briefly. Add cumin, coriander, nutritional yeast, and dry mustard. Stir until fragrant, and add water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and add roasted jalapeno. Cover pot with lid tilted to allow steam to escape. Cook until lentils are tender, remove from heat, and cool.

Place rolled oats in food processor, and pulse until it is ground to a coarse oat flour. Add cooled lentil mixture and breadcrumbs to the food processor. Pulse until mostly combined, but some lentils are still partially intact. You still want some texture and not something homogeneous. Scrape down sides as necessary.

With your hands, form the lentil mixture into 10 burgers, each using 1/2-3/4 C of the lentil mixture. Place on parchment paper and freeze until ready to use.

Burgers may be pan-fried in a little olive oil over medium heat for about 5-8 minutes per side, cooked on a medium heat on the BBQ, or baked on a greased or parchment lined baking sheet at 400` for 10 minutes per side. Frying is by far my favourite, because they get a great crust on the outside.

Served here with tomato, avocado, and sprouted lentils








4 comments:

  1. Ooh, that looks like something my family might enjoy. We love meat burgers, but we also really enjoy lentils. Thanks for sharing.
    ~Mama B

    Reply
    Replies
    1. We like beef burgers too, but these lentil burgers are a delicious and healthy change of pace!

  2. chanelle morgan 6 July 2013 at 18:28

    I made a slightly altered version of your recipe tonight for supper, Jane, and I loved them! I used curry powder instead of the spices recommended, coconut oil instead of olive and I couldn't be bothered grating a carrot. Yes, I'm that lazy-I also used canned lentils. Anyhow, I loved them! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    Replies
    1. I'm glad I inspired you to try your hand at making lentil burgers, and that you had fun and created something delicious!