Prepare the lentils: Wash the red lentils well and cook them following the instructions on the package until they are soft but not too mushy. After cooking, remove any extra water and let them cool down a bit.
Cook Vegetables in a Pan: Warm a little bit of olive oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Cook the diced shallot, crushed garlic, and shredded carrot in a pan until they are soft and smell good, for around 5-7 minutes. Let the mixture cool down.
Mix together the cooked lentils, sautéed vegetables, chopped parsley, tomato sauce, salt, and black pepper in a big bowl. Press down on the mixture a bit with a fork or potato masher, so it remains a bit chunky. If you are using breadcrumbs or eggs to hold the mixture together, add them now and mix thoroughly.
Make patties: Form the mixture into round shapes. If the mixture is too moist, you can add some more breadcrumbs to make it stick together better.
Make burgers: Warm a little olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Cook the patties for around 3-4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crispy.
Serve and enjoy these tasty lentil patties hot, either with your preferred side dishes or as a burger patty with all the toppings. They taste great by themselves or with a spoonful of yogurt or tahini sauce on top.
Advice: To avoid the patties breaking apart during cooking, make sure the lentil mixture is thoroughly mashed and contains sufficient ingredients to hold it together.
Try using various spice mixes to create the taste you want for your lentil burgers.
These burgers can be frozen easily, which is great for preparing meals in advance. Just follow the directions to cook them, let them cool down, and then store them in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Preguntas frecuentes:
Q: Is it okay to use green lentils instead of red lentils?
A: Red lentils cook quickly and have a slightly sweet taste, but you can use green lentils instead if that's what you have available. Simply change the cooking time as needed.
Q: Is it possible to cook these patties in the oven instead of frying them?
A: Yes, you can cook the patties in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for around 20-25 minutes. Remember to turn them over halfway through cooking until they are fully cooked and crispy.