Lentil Burgers

What you need

Ingredients

• 1½ cups dry brown lentils (uncooked, (250g) $1.14*)
• 4½ cups water ($0.00)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced, $0.12)
• 1 Tbsp tomato paste ($0.08)
• 1 tsp salt ($0.04)
• ½ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked, $0.08)
• ½ tsp paprika ($0.02)
• ½ tsp ground cumin ($0.04)
• ½ cup carrot (grated, (70g, 1 small carrot) $0.14)
• ¼ cup onion (grated, (40g, ½ onion) $0.11)
• 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour (30g, $0.03**)
• nonstick spray ($0.03)
• 4 hamburger buns ($0.74)

In the correct order

Instructions

1. Gather and prepare all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Bring the water to a simmer in a medium pot. Once it’s simmering, add the lentils. Let the pot return to a simmer, then place a tilted lid on top. Allow the lentils to simmer for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, taste the lentils to test the texture. They should be tender but not mushy. Drain the lentils in a colander and rinse with cold water to cool.
3. Place 1¼ cups (about 240g) of the cooked lentils, garlic, tomato paste, salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin in the food processor. Blend until the ingredients are just combined and form a paste-like consistency, scraping down the sides as needed. Then place it into a large bowl.
4. Next, add the remaining cooked lentils, carrots, onions, and flour to the bowl. Fold to combine.
5. Divide the lentil mixture into 4 evenly sized patties, about ½-inch thick. Make sure to press them together firmly so they hold their shape***. Arrange the patties on a parchment-lined sheet tray coated with nonstick spray, then lightly spray the tops of the burgers as well.
6. Bake for about 15 minutes, then gently flip the patties over, and spray again with nonstick spray. Bake for about 15 more minutes.
7. Place the lentil burgers on buns with your favorite toppings and enjoy.