Veggie Orange Lentil Burgers

Name: Veggie Orange Lentil Burgers
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: RANCH, CREAM CHEESE, PESTO SAUCE; 3 Tbsp light ranch dressing; 3 Tbsp low fat cream cheese, softened; 1 heaping Tbsp prepared pesto sauce; 2 Tbsp light mayonaise; BURGER FILLING; 3 1/2 c water; 1 1/2 c red (orange) lentils; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 medium white onion, save other 1/2 for topping; 3 clove garlic; 1 c carrots, cut up; 2 c chopped white mushrooms; 1/2 tsp each of seasoning salt, dry basil & oregano; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/3 c green onions, chopped small; 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley; 1 c panko bread crumbs, may need more if mixture is too wet to hold together; 2 egg whites and 1 whole egg; 1 lemon, juice only; 3 Tbsp canola oil; 1 loaf of crusty french bread cut into slices or 8 whole grain rolls; desired toppings, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, etc

By Dee Stillwell
@LILLYDEE

When I saw the Sammie challenge for this week, 03/10/12..I knew that I wanted to make a recipe I found awhile back using red (orange) lentils. The rules were to create a sammie with food the colors of the Irish flag, orange, green & white. I tweaked the recipe to suit my tastes and it was delicious. My whole family loved it. My grandson had 2 and wanted more. We didn't miss the meat & it was healthy too. I hope you will give this a try. Enjoy!
I used white French bread because of the challenge, but in the future (and there will be a future) I will use a whole grain or sprouted grain roll.

Rating:

★★★★★ 1 vote5

Comments:

16 Comments

Prep:

40 Min

Cook:

10 Min

Ingredients

RANCH, CREAM CHEESE, PESTO SAUCE
3 Tbsp

light ranch dressing
3 Tbsp

low fat cream cheese, softened
1 heaping Tbsp

prepared pesto sauce
2 Tbsp

light mayonaise
BURGER FILLING
3 1/2 c

water
1 1/2 c

red (orange) lentils
1/2 tsp

salt
1/2 medium

white onion, save other 1/2 for topping
3 clove

garlic
1 c

carrots, cut up
2 c

chopped white mushrooms
1/2 tsp

each of seasoning salt, dry basil & oregano
1/2 tsp

black pepper
1/3 c

green onions, chopped small
2 Tbsp

chopped fresh parsley
1 c

panko bread crumbs, may need more if mixture is too wet to hold together
2

egg whites and 1 whole egg
1

lemon, juice only
3 Tbsp

canola oil
1

loaf of crusty french bread cut into slices or 8 whole grain rolls
·

desired toppings, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, etc
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How to Make Veggie Orange Lentil Burgers

Step-by-Step

Mix sauce ingredients together with whisk. Cover and chill while making burgers.
Wash lentils in sieve. Place in saucepan with water & salt. Cook about 15-18 minutes until done but not mushy. Drain off any excell liquid. Set aside to cool.
In food processor, pulse onion, carrots, and garlic until finely chopped. Heat skillet and spray with non stick spray. Cook onion mixture for a few minutes, stirring frequently. While that is cooking, finely chop mushrooms in food processor & cut up green onions & parsley. Add to onion mixture in skillet. Add about 1/4 cup water and simmer a few minutes. Stir in parsley and green onion. Set aside to cool about 15 minutes.
In large bowl, beat egg & whites together. Add lentils and vegetable mixture, seasonings, lemon juice, panko and stir together(add more panko if mixturs seems too wet to hold together) Chill in fridge for an hour.
Heat 1 1/2 Tbl canola oil (use 1 1/2 Tbl for each batch you fry) in non stick skillet on medium low. Form burger mixture into patties to fit your bread or buns (they will not shrink). Cook on each side for about 5 minutes, Turn carefully so they don't fall apart.
Build your veggie burger to your liking. We used orange & green heirloom tomatoes, Spring mix lettuce, & sliced white onion on sliced french bread spread with creaam cheese pesto sauce. A side of sweet potato fries completed the meal...Enjoy!