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–+ servings

Lentil–Walnut Burgers with Cheesy Sauce

Recipe by: Dr. Michael Greger & Robin Robertson from The How Not to Age Cookbook
Lentils and walnuts make hearty and delicious burgers, and the Cheesy Sauce is perfection.
Here's a tip for you: Be sure your cooked lentils are not wet. You can blot them dry or place them in a skillet over medium heat, tossing to get out any moisture. Alternatively, you can spread them on a baking sheet and bake them for a few minutes at 350°F (175°C) to dry them out.
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Course Main Course
Difficulty Moderate
Servings 6
Daily Dozen Beans, Flaxseeds, Herbs and Spices, Nuts and Seeds, Other Vegetables, Whole Grains

Ingredients
 
 

BURGERS

  • ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
  • ⅓ cup chopped red onion
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds
  • 2 tablespoons warm water (mix with flaxseed)
  • 1 tablespoon white miso paste
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon sodium-free salt substitute (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pippali or black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Roasted Garlic (optional)
  • 1½ cups cooked (not wet) brown lentils
  • ½ cup rolled oats, or more as needed

FOR SERVING

  • Whole-grain burger buns or tortillas (optional)
  • Optional toppings: lettuce leaves, sliced tomato, sliced red onion
  • Cheesy Sauce

Instructions
 

FOR THE BURGERS:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place a sheet of parchment paper on a rimmed baking sheet. Set aside.
  • In a food processor, combine the walnuts, red onion, flaxseed mixture, parsley, miso paste, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, sodium-free salt substitute (if using), and pippali. Pulse to combine, leaving some texture.
  • Add the Roasted Garlic (if using), lentils, and oats. Pulse to mix together while leaving some texture. Pinch off a bit of the mixture and press it in your hand to make sure it holds together. If it's too wet, add more oats; if it's too dry, add some water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Taste to adjust the seasonings, it needed.
  • Shape the lentil mixture tightly into six burgers about ½-inch (1-cm) thick. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, turning once, about 8 minutes per side.

TO SERVE:

  • When the burgers are ready to serve, arrange them on a plate or on buns or tortillas (if using) along with any toppings you choose. Top with the Cheesy Sauce.

Notes

VARIATION: For Southwest Black Bean Burgers: Substitute black beans for the lentils, pepitas for the walnuts, and fresh cilantro for the parsley.
Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of chili powder, ¼ cup (30g) of minced red bell pepper, and 2 tablespoons of chopped green onion, then proceed with the recipe.