Lentil burgers

Tamster · Feb 1, 2008

1.Cook brown or green lentils until yummy. Don’t use the tiny French lentils, cuz they don’t break down. How I cook yummy lentils: -stir fry a big onion in loads of coconut oil -add spices (thyme, oregano, basil, dill, marjoram, cumin, dash of nutmeg, fresh parsley) -add celery (finely chopped up) -add carrots (small pieces or shredded) -add lentils and water (2 cups water to 1 cup lentils – probably will need a bit more water) -bring to boil, then simmer for a long time. Soaking the lentils for about 8 hours before cooking will make the cooking faster (and improve digestibility). You may have to add some water to be sure that the lentils have been thoroughly cooked – you want them to start breaking down. You also want the lentils to have some moisture left for the next step. - add salt last (otherwise it will interfere with cooking of lentils). 2.Fold in quick oats or quinoa flakes (I use quinoa flakes). Add as much of this dry ingredient as needed to soak up moisture and give mixture a mushy, sticky-together quality (hmmmmm….what’s that culinary term again?....). I think it’s better to keep them kinda moist still, so they don’t get dry and fall apart. 3.Let mixture cool down enough to form burger patties. Place them on baking sheet and put in oven. You can also fry them if you want. I think the oven is much easier – especially if you’re making a bunch. 4.Bake at 350 until golden brown on top and bottom. The bottoms usually get brown for me quicker, so I turn them over. I don’t oil the pan, which works fine.

Sans Souci · Feb 1, 2008

YUM! Can't wait to try them. Health info on <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=52" target="_blank">lentils</a>. Great source of iron and protein. 
Thank you, Tammy. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

winejunky · Feb 1, 2008

I made lentil soup the last two weeks in a row.....I think I need to start soaking them for 8 hours as they seem to be sneaking up on me. I want to do my part in cutting down on the green house effect. This sounds delicious....do you think I could cut down on some of the oil to make a lower fat item?

Sans Souci · Feb 1, 2008

Good point, wj. I wonder why she uses coconut oil, Tammy. 90% saturated fat. I'll use olive oil or peanut or canola instead. 
Heart-healthy lentils. After Kevin's frightening experience, time to cook up a bunch. Easy to cook and add to salads, for instance.

JJJessee · Feb 1, 2008

That sounds D-Lish 
I lurve lentils. 
jjj

hally · Feb 1, 2008

If you love lentils you should try Grizzly's Dal recipe. I will post it when I get home. 
eta I am not using coconut oil either ewwww 
Although it's good for your skin if you rub it on it.

Opie · Feb 1, 2008

I love lentil soup too but nobody else in the house does. Maybe DD will try these if I make them. I think she's giving up meat for Lent. She asked me what I was giving up, and I almost said "shaving" but that didn't go over well last time.<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> So I said "chocolate" and she liked that idea.

Tamster · Feb 1, 2008

I think I'll eat lentils for Lent

FlyingFinn · Feb 1, 2008

I like lentils but MrF doesn't, so I make a small batch of almost homemade soup that lasts me just a few days by mixing a can of Progresso tomato soup (the kind with big chunks of tomato), a can of lentils, and a can of some other kind of beans such as black soybeans. I usually fry some onions to simmer in it, too.

hally · Feb 2, 2008

As promised, thank Grizz Dhal (Lentil Puree) 
Oh you beautiful dhal, you great big beautiful dhal. Sorry, I had to do that.
<ul><li>1 cup dried red lentils</li>
<li>1½ tbsp. oil</li>
<li>1 large onion, finely sliced</li>
<li>1 tsp. finely chopped garlic (we use mmmmore)</li>
<li>1 tsp. fineley chopped ginger (we use mmmmmore)</li>
<li>½ tsp. ground turmeric</li>
<li>3 cups boiling water</li>
<li>1 tsp salt or to taste</li>
<li>½ tsp. Garam Masala</li>
</ul>
Another recipe from Charmaine Solomon. 
Wash lentils thoroughly, removing those that float on the surface. Drain water. 
Heat the oil in a medium - large sized pot and fry the onion, garlic and ginger until the onion is golden brown. Add the turmeric and stir well. 
Mix in the drained lentils and fry for 1-2 minutes. Add the hot water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes or until the lentils are ½ cooked. Add the salt and Garam Masala and mix well. Cook until the dhal has a consistency similar to porridge. If there's too much liquid you can leave the lid off. 
Serve plain or garnished with sliced onions fried until golden brown. We serve it with the rice recipe from two days ago, or with naan or other flat breads as a light meal. Great as cold leftovers.

JJJessee · Feb 2, 2008

Thanks Hally, 
I can smell it through the years. 
Krishna Kitchen at the Rainbow Gathering 
Our kids small enough to carry in a backpack. 
Skyclad old and young romping through glen and glade 
Time is a river 
washing over the stones 
of memory. 
jjj

Soundrunner · Feb 2, 2008

Those burgers sound delicious. I love love lentils. 
Hally, I've never tried making dahl myself. Doesn't look too difficult. 
Ever try lentils and pasta? It's one of my favorite simple pasta meals. Saute chopped onions with some finely chopped or pressed garlic and cardamom (very important) in olive oil (or butter). Add cooked lentils and saute a little longer. Toss with penne pasta. Top with parmesan cheese. Delicious.

Sans Souci · Feb 3, 2008

Hello, Fellow Sproutheads. 
Sound, I can't get my tastebuds around cardamom and cheese. Cardamom with rice pudding, sure; but with a savoury dish? Interesting. 
JJJ, years ago when I travelled outside of Vancouver for work, I often had lunch at a Hare Krishna cafe because I couldn't find other veg fare. While it was delicious, their kitchen venting left much to be desired, and I'd return to work smelling like a greasy eggplant. <img alt="huh.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/huh.gif"> 
Made the burgers tonight with a few changes:
<ul><li>garlic. I mean, what's a burg without it?</li>
<li>olive oil replaced coconut oil.</li>
<li>brown rice flakes instead of quinoa flakes. Made burger quite crispy. I liked them; others may wish to run some boiling water over them and then squeeze out the water or stir them in with the lentil mixture and leave until soft.</li>
<li>brown lentils and split red lentil combo. The reds cooked down into a mush which helped to bind everything; the browns maintained their shape and made a nice texture.</li>
<li>fried them. Next time I'll cook them over a lower heat for longer, then turn heat up and crisp the outsides. Or perhaps baking is the way to go.</li>
</ul>
They were good. Real good. Thanks, Tammy. 
Next up: Root veg latkes. Anyone with a recipe that they've tried and enjoyed, please share.

Tamster · Feb 3, 2008

thanks for the feedback Souci and the alterations you made to the recipe. Looks like you made it even healthier than it was by using a different kind of oil. I, too, was wonderful why she used coconut oil. I'm glad you liked them

Opie · Feb 4, 2008

If anyone tries baking them, let me know how it goes. That sounds like the ticket. I had yummy lentil soup at lunch as part of a veggie meal. Then I chowed down on some chicken tamales for supper.<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

La Tortuga · May 31, 2008

Sorry - I need this one kept as well - I'll just assume everyone else does. Lentils are good for you folks!!!

millbot · Jun 3, 2008

Tammy, we tried this recipe tonight. We used olive oil instead of coconut oil, and added some red lentils to contribute to the mush (thanks SS). We baked them and ate them hot. Tasty!

rosecoloredglasses · Jun 6, 2008

At our al fresco breakfast, Rob asked if I was a vegetarian. I told him I was one for three years but couldn't get enough protein. 
Said, "I couldn't eat enough beans." 
Finn said, "I can eat enought beans." She is a pescatarian (veggie & fish) 
ANYWAY. 
After skimming this thread, I realize that I was just too lazy. Today I am announcing my return to fish-vegetarian. 
I told the r.s. that I wish there was meat in cake... then I would have better luck avoiding cake calories... I love cake.

Lentil burgers

Top Contributors this Month