Lentil & Rice Burgers, Balls, or loaf!

If you made lentils yesterday or plan on making this recipe, you might have some leftover lentils. Maybe you were thinking about bringing the delicious lentil dish to work for lunch or transforming them into some kind of soup. Maybe you weren’t wild about the last lentil dish and the leftovers are languishing in your fridge. Languish not, there’s this rumor around town about lentil-based veggie burgers being pretty delicious. I’ve been craving a good veggie burger lately, but refuse to buy a 49 pack from Costco when I know I could make my own.

I decided to shape my concoction into small balls and stick them under the broiler, turning them once carefully with tongs while cooking them. If you want to make these into more of a patty shape, pan frying them in a skillet with a little olive oil is your best bet. You might even consider baking this recipe into a meatless-loaf and topping it with a little mushroom gravy. The possibilities and combinations of a life with lentils are limitless!

Serve as an open-faced sandwich with a little cheddar melted on bread, fresh greens, a bit of ketchup, and Dijon & mayo on the side. Why not top these balls of wonder with your favorite marinara sauce? If you’re on the look out for a good marinara recipe, try this one.

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 cups of lentils

- 1 1/2 cups of brown or white rice

- 1/2 cup of bread crumbs

- 2 Eggs

- 3/4 leaves of ribbed and chopped kale

- a pinch of salt & pepper

- dash of garlic powder

- 1 Tbsp turmeric

- 1 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions:

- Preheat broiler

- Cover a baking sheet with foil and coat with olive oil

- Whisk 2 eggs and combine with lentils, rice, and bread crumbs in a large bowl

- Remove kale from ribs and finely chop

- Season with salt, pepper, and other spices

- Form 12 small balls or 6 or 7 patties

- If you have a hard time forming balls, put a little olive oil on your hands

- If making balls, put on olive oil covered foil, put a bit more olive oil on top of the balls, and place under broiler for 6 minutes

- Turn balls once halfway through cooking

Instructions for burgers & loaf:

- If pan frying patties, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet and put 3 or 4 patties in for about 10 minutes, covered

- Flip and cook the other side of the patty for about 6-7 minutes

- For a meatless loaf, bake in a greased bread loaf pan at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes

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