Quinoa and Red Lentil Burgers

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

This recipe was contributed by Nava Atlas, from her fashionable Plant Power cookbook. Remember to test it out for extra scrumptious vegan recipes! Photographs by Hannah Kaminsky.

Key Substances & Substitutions

• Quinoa. Both tan or pink 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 package deal is not pre-rinsed to take away any bitterness.
• Purple lentils. Purple lentils break down and turn into tender a lot quicker than inexperienced or brown lentils, making them good for this recipe – they mix proper into the combination. No substitute wanted, however inexperienced lentils can work in case 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 in case you favor.
• Fast-cooking oats or quinoa flakes. These act as a binder, serving to all the pieces maintain collectively into agency patties. Old school 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 provides the burgers a heat, earthy spice profile. Alter to style – use smoked paprika for a deeper taste, or bump up the curry powder in case you prefer it bolder.
• Contemporary 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 all the pieces in a single pot. The quinoa, pink 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 technique.

Use a measuring cup to form uniform patties. A ½-cup measuring cup sprayed flippantly 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 whole, with a flip on the midway level. The excessive warmth is what provides them their golden, barely crispy exterior. Flip rigorously utilizing a skinny spatula – they agency up significantly as they bake.

Make a double batch and freeze half. These burgers freeze fantastically 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 – strive 1 teaspoon every of cumin and coriander, a pinch of cinnamon, and a squeeze of lemon zest.
• Add contemporary 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 pink pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha stirred into the combination earlier than shaping brings actual warmth. High 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 traditional burger toppings – lettuce, sliced tomato, pink onion, and avocado. A smear of vegan mayo or a tangy tartar sauce works particularly effectively with the curried spice profile.

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

For an informal unfold, set out quite a lot of toppings – roasted pink peppers, inexperienced sprouts, sliced avocado, and some dipping sauces – and let everybody construct their very own burger.

Storing & Freezing

Cooked patties maintain effectively 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 aspect to crisp them again up, or in a 375°F oven for about 10 minutes. Keep away from the microwave – it makes them tender.

These burgers freeze exceptionally effectively. Let the baked patties cool utterly, then freeze in a single layer earlier than stacking with parchment between every burger. They will maintain 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

In the event you beloved these quinoa burgers, listed below are just a few extra value making:

Recipe

Quinoa and Purple Lentil Burgers

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