Ingredients:
- 100 g / 1/2 cup dried lentils or 250g cooked lentils
- 500 g / 2 cups water
- 60 g old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 small, grated garlic
- 1/2 diced onion
- 2 diced or minced garlic cloves
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for frying
- 4-5 slices cheddar cheese or any other melting cheese of choice
Instructions
Step 1
In a saucepan add rinsed dried lentils along with the water. Bring lentils to a boil, then lower the heat to medium and cook covered for 20 minutes. Drain water and rinse the lentils with cold water.
Step 2
Preheat a skillet over medium heat and add 3 tbsp of olive oil. Once heated, add the grated onion and the grated carrot. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally or until the onion and carrot are softened. Add the diced garlic and stir for another minute. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
Step 3
In a food processor, add the oats and pulse them 2-3 times for a couple of seconds. Then add the cooled, drained lentils, the carrot mixture, followed by the egg and seasonings.
Step 4
Pulse the mixture a few times, then transfer it into a large bowl and mix it lightly with your hands.
Step 5
Preheat a non-stick pan over medium heat and add olive oil in just enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Form the patties and fry on each side for around 4-5 minutes. Once you turn the patty on the other side, add the slices of cheese and cook another 4-5 minutes.
Assemble:
- Optional but absolutely recommended: Preheat a non-stick skillet and add olive oil; toast the burger buns. To the same skillet, add a few 1/2 inch or 1cm slices of onion and fry them on both sides for 30 seconds to around a minute.
- Add a sauce of your choice on the top and bottom bun. Add lettuce on the bottom bun, followed by the lentil burger, and top with the grilled onion and sliced tomato.
- Add the top burger bun on top, serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure the lentils are cold and well-drained from the water before you make the patties. This will help when shaping them and keep right consistency.
- Lightly oiling your hands will make shaping the patties so much easier.
- If you decide to bake them instead of frying, add the patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and make sure there’s oil on the parchment as well as on top of the patties.