Quinoa and Red Lentil Burgers

Quinoa and crimson lentils cook dinner collectively in a single saucepan in the identical period of time – which implies these spiced veggie burgers come along with minimal effort and most taste.

This recipe was contributed by Nava Atlas, from her common Plant Power cookbook. Make sure to test it out for extra scrumptious vegan recipes! Pictures by Hannah Kaminsky.

Key Elements & Substitutions

• Quinoa. Both tan or crimson quinoa works right here. Quinoa provides protein, a barely nutty taste, and that attribute texture that holds the patties collectively. Rinse it earlier than utilizing in case your bundle is not pre-rinsed to take away any bitterness.
• Pink lentils. Pink lentils break down and turn out to be comfortable a lot quicker than inexperienced or brown lentils, making them excellent for this recipe – they mix proper into the combination. No substitute wanted, however inexperienced lentils can work when you cook dinner them a bit longer. Love lentils? Strive these 30-Minute Madras Lentils too.
• Vegetable bouillon dice. Cooked proper in with the quinoa and lentils, it seasons the bottom from the within out. Swap with 3½ cups of low-sodium vegetable broth as a substitute of water when you choose.
• Fast-cooking oats or quinoa flakes. These act as a binder, serving to the whole lot maintain collectively into agency patties. Old style oats work in a pinch (simply pulse them briefly in a blender first). For gluten-free, use licensed gluten-free oats or quinoa flakes.
• Curry powder, cumin, and paprika. This trio offers the burgers a heat, earthy spice profile. Modify to style – use smoked paprika for a deeper taste, or bump up the curry powder when you prefer it bolder.
• Recent cilantro or parsley. Stirred in on the finish for a burst of brightness. Use whichever you favor – or a mixture of each.

Useful Ideas

Cook dinner the whole lot in a single pot. The quinoa, crimson lentils, bouillon, and oats all go into the identical saucepan with water. Add the scallions and spices because the water heats up – there is not any have to bloom them individually. This really is a one-pot methodology.

Use a measuring cup to form uniform patties. A ½-cup measuring cup sprayed calmly with olive oil cooking spray is the trick for getting completely spherical, evenly-sized burgers. Scoop the combination stage, invert onto parchment, faucet firmly to launch, then flatten to about ½ inch thick with the underside of the cup.

Do not rush the baking. These bake at 425°F for half-hour complete, with a flip on the midway level. The excessive warmth is what offers them their golden, barely crispy exterior. Flip fastidiously utilizing a skinny spatula – they agency up significantly as they bake.

Make a double batch and freeze half. These burgers freeze superbly as soon as baked and cooled. Lay them flat on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then switch to a zip-lock bag. Reheat from frozen in a 375°F oven for quarter-hour, or in a skillet over medium warmth.

Multitask the oven. Whereas the burgers bake, use the identical oven to roast potato wedges, candy potato slices, or different greens on a second rack. Dinner comes collectively even quicker.

Variations

• Swap the spice profile. Skip the curry-cumin-paprika combo and go Mediterranean as a substitute – attempt 1 teaspoon every of cumin and coriander, a pinch of cinnamon, and a squeeze of lemon zest.
• Add recent ginger. Stir 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger into the saucepan together with the spices for a livelier, extra fragrant burger.
• Combine in greens. Fold in a handful of child spinach or finely chopped kale on the finish of cooking – the residual warmth wilts it proper in.
• Make it spicier. A beneficiant pinch of crimson pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha stirred into the combination earlier than shaping brings actual warmth. Prime with sliced jalapeños for further kick.
• Gluten-free model. Use licensed gluten-free oats or quinoa flakes, and serve on gluten-free buns or wrapped in massive lettuce leaves.
• Add nuts or seeds. Stir in 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds or finely chopped walnuts for further crunch and richness.

Serving Concepts

Serve these on entire wheat rolls, pita breads, or English muffins piled excessive with basic burger toppings – lettuce, sliced tomato, crimson onion, and avocado. A smear of vegan mayo or a tangy tartar sauce works particularly properly with the curried spice profile.

They’re additionally great served with out bread – place a burger or two over a giant inexperienced salad or grain bowl and drizzle along with your favourite dressing. The nice and cozy, spiced patties pair superbly with cool, crunchy Easy Vegan Coleslaw on the facet. Roasted potato wedges spherical issues out completely.

For an off-the-cuff unfold, set out a wide range of toppings – roasted crimson peppers, inexperienced sprouts, sliced avocado, and some dipping sauces – and let everybody construct their very own burger.

Storing & Freezing

Cooked patties preserve properly in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium warmth for a couple of minutes per facet to crisp them again up, or in a 375°F oven for about 10 minutes. Keep away from the microwave – it makes them comfortable.

These burgers freeze exceptionally properly. Let the baked patties cool fully, then freeze in a single layer earlier than stacking with parchment between every burger. They’re going to preserve for as much as 3 months. Reheat straight from frozen in a 375°F oven for quarter-hour, or on the stovetop over medium-low warmth till warmed by.

Extra Vegan Burgers & Patties

For those who liked these quinoa burgers, listed here are a couple of extra price making:

Recipe

Quinoa and Pink Lentil Burgers

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