Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Lentil-Walnut Burgers with Yogurt Cilantro Sauce

Inspiration:
Everyday Food


Ingredients:

Lentil-Walnut Burgers:
  • 3/4 cup toasted walnuts, cooled
  • 1/3 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
  • 3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 3/4 cup lentils, cooked, drained, and cooled
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large egg
  • pita bread

Yogurt-Cilantro Sauce:
  • 3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions:
  1. In a food processor, combine walnuts, breadcrumbs, garlic, cumin, coriander, pepper flakes, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; process until finely ground. Add lentils and 1 tablespoon oil; pulse until coarsely chopped (some lentils should remain whole).
  2. In a large bowl, whisk egg. Add lentil mixture; mix well. Divide into 4 equal-size parts; roll into balls, and flatten with the palm of your hand into 3/4-inch-thick patties.
  3. Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add burgers; cook over medium-low heat until crisp and browned, turning gently with a thin-edged spatula, 8 to 10 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
  4. Prepare sauce: in a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, cilantro, and lemon; season with salt and pepper.
  5. Serve lentil-walnut burgers in pita bread; drizzle with sauce.

Nutritional Information (burgers only): Per serving (without sauce): 460 calories; 28.9 grams fat; 18.7 grams protein; 35 grams carbohydrates; 13.6 grams fiber

Notes: This vegetarian meal was delicious, if not low-calorie! We loved it. You must toast the walnuts; it adds so much flavor.

Tim's Rating: 8.5/10
Liz's Rating: 9.5/10

6 comments:

Kira said...

This looks delicious. I love lentils and like cooking some more vegetarian-type meals every once in a while.

weezermonkey said...

Looks like falafel!

What's Cookin Chicago said...

I'm all for meatless meals! This does look like falafel... yum!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! These looks so good.

Insomniac said...

I am all over this.

HaveShoesWillTravel said...

I may try these this week. I just bought lentils which I've never made before and coincidentally I just bought a whole thing of walnuts for another recipe.