Burgers

Burgers are one of the foods I've avoided since the soy discovery. Mainly because I've always enjoyed a meat burger and was worried I'd try a vegetarian one and it just wouldn't be the same. But after almost a year without a burger I finally caved. So, with the help of Chuck, I set about making a lentil patty better than most meat ones.
I chose lentils because on their own they don't have a strong flavour, giving me more freedom with the herbs and spices. This recipe has been adapted from one of Jamie Oliver's.

Note: we also made soy free meat ones for chuck which were so good he's requested I add them here.
 

Lentil Burgers

Ingredients

1 can lentils drained (or fresh if you have them)

1 small onion grated

1/2 C Carrot grated

1/4 C chia seeds

1/4 C boiling water

1/4 C oats

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp mustard seeds

pinch of garlic granuals

1/4 C beer

2 tbs tomato sauce

1/2 tsp vegemite

1/2 tsp pepper

Method:

Pre-heat oven to about 180C. Mix the lentils, carrot and onion in a bowl. Place in some muslin cloth and squeeze out all the moisture. This is important otherwise the patties wont stick together. Mix the Chia seeds and boiling water to make egg sub.

In a large bowl mix all the other ingredients, with the drained lentil mix and egg sub. Once well combined form into patties and fry in a hot pan. Once nicely browned on the outside place in hot oven for about 10 mins until cooked through but not dried out.

Enjoy on a bun with your favourite burger ingredients. 

Note: There were really good the next day for lunch burger.

Meat Burgers

Ingredients

400 g mince

swig of beer

1/2 C carrot grated

1 small onion grated

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp ground pepper

1 tbs tomato sauce

1 tsp dijon mustard

sprinkle of mustard seeds

1/2 tsp of the following: cayenne pepper, thyme, oregano, vegemite

Method

Squeeze the juice out of the carrot and onion as per above. Mix all ingredients into a big bowl and using your hands (yes it is the only way this works well), mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Cook in a hot pan until done. Serve with burger fillings and enjoy.

I hope you enjoy this meal, it's a great one for households with different eating (veggies and non-veggeis) because everyone is eating the same thing (mostly). And there is little extra effort to make two patty types. Esp. if you have two people doing it :).

Happy Eating!