Jan 09 2009
Walnut-Lentil Burger with Cilantro Sauce – recipe
This is a favorite recipe of mine that I came across on Love and Olive Oil! Previously, I had not made it with the cilantro sauce that she recommends making the the burger until now.
And, WOW, that sauce is fantastic!
I like serving my walnut-lentil burger over rice with a side of salad. But, you can serve it on a bun as well!
I also accidentally changed up the recipe this time around by adding more olive oil to the recipe that called for and leaving out the egg. I definitely like the flavor minus the egg, and the extra olive oil makes the patties hold together better.
This makes a great vegetarian recipe as well as a great vegan recipe if you use a soy-based yogurt substitute.
Burgers
Ingredients:
3/4 Cup chopped Walnuts, toasted and cooled
1/3 Cup plain Breadcrumbs
3 garlic cloves
2 teaspoons ground Cumin
2 teaspoons ground Coriander
1/2 teaspoon Red chili flakes
Salt and Pepper to taste
3/4 Cup cooked Lentils, drained and cooled
7 tablespoons Olive Oil
Yogurt Cilantro Sauce
Ingredients:
3/4 Cup plain Yogurt
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons minced fresh Cilantro
1 Tablespoon fresh Lemon juice
Directions:
In a food processor, combine breadcrumbs, garlic, cumin, coriander, pepper flakes, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; process a few seconds until roughly ground. Add the walnuts and process until finely ground. Then, add the lentils and 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
Add lentil mixture to a large bowl and divide into 4 equal-size pieces. Roll into balls, and flatten with the palm of your hand into patties.
Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet (I prefer a cast iron pan). Add burgers; cook over medium-low heat until crisp and browned, turning gently with a thin-edged spatula, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Transfer to a towel-lined plate to drain.
In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, cilantro, and lemon; season with salt and pepper to taste.
Top the burgers with yogurt sauce over rice or on a burger bun with red onion, lettuce, and tomato.
Enjoy!
Makes 4 servings – but they’re so tasty I recommend making a double batch!
Oh Nicole, this is right up MY alley and I will be making this for MY eating pleasure! Forget Grumpy for a little while…besides, me may end up liking it himself once he gets over the fact I didn’t cook meat.
I love this!
You don’t have to be vegetarian to know this must be delicious!
Ooo…this looks yummy!
I’m not a great fan of heavy-duty cilantro. I’ll bet that a yogurt dill-cucumber sauce would be more to my liking. What do you think?
I am always on the prowl for delicious veggie burgers. The sauce would be excellent on the bun too. All you need is a little lettuce and tomato and it is a “full meal deal.”
Love the sauce, and love the burger…I like the idea over a bed of rice