Ingredients:
1 c. dried lentils, well rinsed (we used red lentils)
2 1⁄2 c. water
2 Tbsp. Gourmet Inspirations Kickin' Chicken (or other spice blend)
1 Tbsp. Garlic Olive Oil or Chipotle Olive Oil, plus more for brushing
1⁄2 med. onion, chopped fine
1 carrot, chopped fine or grated
1/2 can black beans (if desired)
3⁄4 c. rolled oats (grind them fine before adding OR soak with 2 Tbsp. boiling water for 10 min. before adding to help with combining)
3⁄4 c. breadcrumbs
Bring lentils and Kickin' Chicken to a boil in the 2 1/2 c. water. Simmer, covered, for 30-40 minutes, stirring as needed. Uncover if water remains after 40 minutes. You want the lentils to be very soft, breaking down to mushy, and all the water to be incorporated/gone. Remove from heat and allow lentils to cool most of the way.
While lentils are cooking (or cooling down), fry the onion and carrot in the olive oil until soft. If adding black beans, add them to the frying pan with the onion and carrot. When onion and carrot is soft, can mash these three ingredients together roughly with a fork. This helps the black beans incorporate into the burger.
Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment. Heat oven to 410F.
When lentils are cool enough to handle, transfer them to a large mixing bowl and add the onions, carrots, black beans, and also the oats and breadcrumbs. Mixture should take on the consistency that it can be formed into balls and then into patties without falling apart.
Form the mixture into patties. Makes about 8-10 patties, depending how big you want to make them.
Can coat each side with flour if desired before baking. This helps them crisp up and hold together a bit better on the outside. Simply sprinkle some flour onto a small plate and flip patty once, from side to side, in the flour.
Place patties on baking sheet and brush with olive oil until coated.
Bake for 10 minutes. Flip, then bake for another 5 or until desired crispiness.
Serve warm on a bun with all the fixin's, just like a burger!
Notes:
If you have room on the pan, can add some slices of peppers, brushed with the olive oil. The peppers roast along with the burgers and are a lovely accoutrement!
Form into smaller patties for kids who like 'chicken nuggets'. Dip with ketchup, ranch dressing, sour cream, honey dill sauce - anything! Kids (both small and BIG) will love these!
Try flavouring with any Infused Olive Oil and any spice blend you like. We suggest any of our Gourmet Inspirations or Salt Cellar.
Try frying or barbecuing these patties for a different approach. Works great!
We served with SMAK DAB White Wine Herb Mustard. Yum!
Served with Homemade Potato Chips.
