Lentil burgers easy, delicious and healthy

Australian dietary guidelines suggest we include a wide variety of nutritious foods from the 5 food groups daily. The five food groups include:

• breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles and other grains
• vegetables and legumes
• fruit
• milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or alternatives
• lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts and legumes.

Many of my generation were raised on meat and three vege, in fact, but these days we are blessed to have such a variety of foods available as well as increased knowledge of what we should be including to stay healthy.

I’ve had a can of lentils in my pantry for some time and finally decided to use them. You can purchase lentils in dried form or in the can and are great for adding to slow cook recipes, soups and as a subsitute for meat in burgers.

Lentils are a legume that have a nutty and rich flavour. They are a great source of protein as an alternative to meat and other protein sources as well as providing extra fibre in our diet. Rich in folate, niacin and Vitamin E, they are also rich in minerals such as calcium (good for bone health) , magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

So what’s not to love? Food that is healthy and tastes good.

I made this quick and easy alternative to normal burgers and I’m not sure my husband even tasted the difference! They were delicious as a snack or light lunch served with salad.

Quick and Easy Lentil Burgers

Ingredients:

1 x 400g can Lentils – rinsed and drained
2 garlic cloves crushed
1 cup roughly chopped mushrooms (I keep them fairly small pieces)
1 spring onion finely sliced
2 large eggs lightly beaten
1/2 – 1 cup dried packaged breadcrumbs – I added this half at a time until I had a firm consistency otherwise the burgers will fall apart.
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 finely sliced chilli (optional but adds a kick)

Method:

• After rinsing and draining lentils, place in food processor and pulse a few times. Don’t over process but doing this will help to mix everything together.
• Combine lentils, eggs, garlic, mushrooms, breadcrumbs, spring onion and chilli (if using).
• Mix well

• Heat non-stick frying pan over medium heat
• When pan hot take tablespoon full amounts and shape into a ball. Add to frying pan in batches
• Cook approximately 5 minutes each side or until brown and cooked through

Serving suggestions:

• Serve with a salad for a light lunch
• Serve as a snack with some dipping sauce of your choice
• Serve on a bun with tomato, lettuce, fried onions for a burger with a difference

Do you eat lentils? What is your favourite way to cook them?