This dish is likely to appeal to men: lentils provide a significant energy boost, help support testosterone levels, and are beneficial for muscle growth. Nearly a third of lentils’ weight is easily digestible plant protein, making them an ideal choice for athletes and vegetarians.
Ingredients: 1½ cups red lentils; 1 carrot; 1 ripe avocado; 6 round burger buns; 6 lettuce leaves; 2 stalks of celery; 2 tablespoons chopped parsley; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 cup soft white bread crumbs; ½ cup breadcrumbs; ¼ cup homemade mayonnaise; ¼ cup mustard.
Preparation
Cut the ready-made round buns in half and toast them in a skillet or under the grill.
Peel the carrot and cut it into small pieces.
To make the burger patties, rinse the lentils and cover them with cold water in a 1:2 ratio. Bring to a boil, then simmer until tender (10–40 minutes, depending on the variety). Add salt at the end.
Drain the cooked lentils in a colander and press out any excess liquid into the pot with the back of a spoon. Transfer the lentils to a bowl and mash them with a potato masher. Add the ground cumin, grated carrot, chopped celery, and chopped parsley, along with the soft bread crumbs. Add pepper and salt to taste if needed.
Mix the filling well and form it into 6 round, flat patties. Coat them in the ½ cup breadcrumbs and fry in a skillet over medium heat with a little oil, about 2–3 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
Assemble the burgers. Mix the homemade mayonnaise with the mustard and spread this mixture on the bottom halves of the buns. Top with lettuce, then add the lentil patties and slices of avocado. Spread the mayonnaise-mustard mixture on the top halves of the buns and cover the patties.
Serve the burgers hot.
Tip
Red lentils cook the fastest—10–15 minutes—while green and black lentils take longer, 20–40 minutes. Green lentils benefit from a 1-hour soak before cooking and hold their shape during cooking, while red lentils tend to break down. They also have different flavors: red lentils taste similar to peas, while green lentils have a pleasant, peppery flavor. At the end of cooking, season the lentils with salt and spices such as cumin, and save the cooking broth to use as a flavorful base for other dishes.
Previously, we shared a recipe for a “biblical dish” made with lentils:
For more information on the health benefits of legumes and their history of consumption, check this out:
