Lentil burger patties.

Lentil burger patties are good for health, are low in fat and carbs and high in protein and iron. It is good food for the body. Lentil patties are packed with texture and flavour, give it a  try and you will know. I used a few ingredients which were lazily laying in my fridge. You can also do the same, except for a few ingredients which have to be kept the same. Here goes the recipe... 

Prep time: 1 hour

Cook time: 45 mins

Pieces: 12 to 16

Ingredient:

1. Raw Lentils - 2 cups

2. Onion - 1 big, finely chopped

3. Red and green bell peppers - 1 to 1/2 each depending on their size, finely chopped

4. Celery - 3 stalks, finely chopped

5. Spinach fresh\frozen - 1 whole bunch, washed, drained and finely chopped. If  using frozev use 1 cup. (optional)

6. Mint - 1/2 cup, finely chopped

7. Carrots - 1/2 cup, finely chopped

8. Potato - 1 medium, boiled and mashed. (optional)

9. Garlic - 4 to 5 pods, grated/minced or 2 tsp paste.

10.  Salt - to taste

11. Chilly powder - 1 tsp (alter to taste)

12. Pepper Powder - 2 tsp (alter to taste)

13.Parsley dry - 3 tsp

14. Oregano dry - 2 tsp

15. Oil - 1 tbsp

16. Texturized soya nuggets - 1/2 cup, dry ones, soaked, drained and minced or buy the texturized granules. The brand in India is Nutrella. (optional)

17. All purpose flour (maida) - 1 to 3 tsp

Method:

1. Soak Lentils atleast for 4 hours in cold water or 2 hours in hot water. Then cook them with a tsp of salt for 20 to 25 minutes. Please keep checking, you want them just cooked through, you will not want to cook them to a paste. Just take a few lentils and put them in your mouth, if you get the cooked taste, they are done. Drain the water or save it in the fridge for future use into some soups.

2. While your lentils cook, you can chop all the vegetables.

3. Heat oil a big vessel on medium heat. Add parsley, oregano, mint, onions and garlic with 1/2 tsp salt and let them cook till onions get slightly brown. 

4. Add carrots and celery and let them sweat, add bell peppers and let them sweat. 

5. Add spinach and let it wilt completely. Add sufficient salt (keep in mind, you have slated lentils and onions), pepper and chilly powder and mix it in well. If you are using a potato, this will be the time to add it and mix it in well.

6. If you are using texturized soya nuggets, add the minced nuggets and mix it well.

7. Add the lentils and just mix it well till it blend with all the other ingredients evenly, close the lid and let it cook for five minutes on low flame.

8. With the help of a masher or a strong ladle, mash as much lentils as possible and make a coarse paste, you can turn the stove off if it starts to burn the patty mixture. let it cool to touch.

9. Heat a skillet on high medium and make a lemon sized ball of the burger patty mixture. Place the ball in center of your palm and press it down gently to make a disk shape. If the patty seems to breaking, do not panic. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tsp of all purpose flour, mix in well and try again. Add a little more if you need. Flour acts as a binding agent. If you use a Potato, you might not need flour.

10. Put the patty in the skillet, drizzle a few drops of oil on the side of the patty, let it get slightly brown, flip and do the same again. It may take 3 to 5 minutes for both the sides to cook. You can place more than one patty in the skillet, as much as your skillet can accommodate and roast the patties. They are ready to eat. 

Serving suggestions:

One major use is in burgers.  You can dice them and add it into your salads, they will make the salad a meal when you add 'em. You can wrap these in tortillas with some veggies and dressing and call it a lently-burrito. The possibilities are endless... It is up to your imagination.

Tips:

1. They freeze beautifully and thaw easily. So make 'em and freeze 'em. When you need to fix a quick lunch or dinner, all it take is 10 flat minutes and you have a very healthy meal.

2. You can use egg as a binder as well. Break 2 eggs, beat them, add them to the mixture, mix well and make into patties. The patty may break in your hand but after cooking they hold strong. However, flour is the best binder here.

3. You can also add cheese to this burger, like mozzarella, Parmesan or cheddar. You may not need a binder when you add cheese coz it binds as well. You can add 1/2 cup of cheese or cheeses of your choice. Make and enjoy.