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Lentil Burgers

by Chris Morocco
lunch
Yield: Makes 6

Ingredients

produce
  • pickles(sliced)
  • 1/4 tsplemon zest(finely grated)
  • 1 Tbsplemon juice(fresh)
  • 2 clovesgarlic(finely grated, divided)
  • 6 ozcrimini mushrooms(stems trimmed)
  • sprouts
  • lettuce
protein
  • 1 cuplentils(dried)
dairy
  • 1/2 cupGreek yogurt(whole-milk)
grain
  • 1/4 cupflour(oat, gluten-free 1:1 blend, or all-purpose)
  • Whole wheat buns
pantry staple
  • 2 Tbspmiso(white)
  • 1/4 tspsmoked paprika
  • Kosher salt
  • 4 Tbspolive oil(extra-virgin, divided)

Instructions

  1. Pour water into a large saucepan to cover lentils by 4\". Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender but not mushy, about 10 minutes from the time the water reaches a boil. Drain very well in a fine-mesh sieve, then let cool at least 10 minutes (spread them out on a baking sheet, which will help them cool faster).
  2. Meanwhile, combine yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and half of garlic in a small bowl. Season with salt; set aside.
  3. Finely chop mushrooms and transfer to a medium bowl. Add miso, paprika, 2 Tbsp. oil, and remaining garlic clove. Add lentils (you should have 2 cups cooked) and stir and mash them with the back of a spoon or a potato masher until lentils are partly mashed but with lots of whole lentils still remaining. Vigorously stir in flour until mixture holds together when squeezed; if it doesn’t, continue to mash until it does and add 1–2 Tbsp. flour if needed. Form into 6 patties about ¾" thick.
  4. Working in 2 batches, heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet (nonstick is essential since these will definitely stick to a regular skillet) over medium. Cook patties until deeply browned and very crisp on bottom side, about 3 minutes. Carefully turn and repeat on second side, adding more oil as needed to maintain a light coating around patties in skillet.
  5. Spread reserved yogurt mixture on buns. Top with burgers, sprouts, and pickles.
  6. Patties can be made 4 days ahead. Tightly wrap in plastic and chill.

My notes

Patties can be made 4 days ahead. Tightly wrap in plastic and chill.