JFI# 3 - Lentil Walnut Burger

I am late for this month's Lentil theme JFI#3 (Jihva for ingredients) hosted by Sailu. I hope she accepts my late entry.
I made Lentil-Walnut burger for our mini in-house barbeque for 4th of July. I saw them made on TV (pbs - channel 13) few weeks ago and wanted to give them a try(above pic is courtesy pbs tv). Adding cumin and coriander powders gave the burgers an Indian taste.

Ingredients:

Green Lentils - ¾ cup, cooked, drained and cooled
Toasted Walnuts - ¾ cup, cooled
Dried breadcrumbs - 1/3 cup (I used 3 potato bread slices and it worked just fine)
Garlic - 3 cloves
Ground Cumin - 2 tsp
Ground Coriander - 2 tsp
Red pepper flakes - ½ tsp
Large Egg - 1
Olive oil - 1tbsp
Salt and pepper - to taste

Method:

• In a food processor, combine walnuts, breadcrumbs (or bread slices), garlic, cumin, coriander, pepper flakes, salt (I used 1 ½ tsp and it was just right, but if you eat less salt, reduce the amount), and ¼ tsp pepper; process until finely ground.
• Add lentils and oil; pulse until coarsely chopped (some lentils should remain whole).
• In a large bowl, whisk egg and add lentil mixture; mix well.
• Divide mixture into equal size parts; roll into balls, and flatten with the palm of your hand into ¾ inch thick patties (I made 9 medium size patties).
• Heat a large nonstick skillet. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
• Add burgers; cook over medium-low heat until crisp and browned, turning gently with a spatula, 8 to 10 minutes per side.
• Serve hot.

I made Indira’s Sesame buns and had our burgers with mayo, ketchup and cheese. Really healthy and not very difficult to put together.