by Marai Rataj

Created on: September 10, 2010

Vegan burgers are a fantastic way of joining the grill game without using animal products, and still enjoying the fun of a neighbourly barbecue. This recipe uses cooked red lentils, and a variety of binders that avoid the use of eggs and dairy to keep it all together. A fantastic way of using up the leftover daal from last night's East Indian cuisine, it incorporates Panko crumbs for breading the patties, if you're so inclined.

Ingredients:

4 cups Cooked Red Lentils

1 cup Silken Tofu

1/2 cup Shredded Potato

1/2 cup Shredded Carrot or Turnip

1 White Onion, diced (Any onion would do, I like either White Onion or Red Onion)

2 Ripe Avocados

1/2 cup Panko Crumbs

1/4 cup Rye Flour & more for sprinkling.

2 TBSP Balsamic Vinegar

1 tsp Mustard Powder

Clove of Garlic

1/4 cup Almond Milk (Or Rice Milk for a nut allergy)

Chipotle Chili Powder

Salt & Pepper

First set up large & small mixing bowls, two plates, a fork and a potato masher. Dice onions, and crush the clove of garlic into the bowl with the red lentils, silken tofu and shredded veggies. Slip the ripe avocado flesh into another smaller bowl and mash it up with a fork, then toss it in to the large mixing bowl with the lentil mixture. Using the potato masher, mix the ingredients together and add spices, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper.

Here's the fun part. Start separating the burger mixture into balls about half the size of a baseball. Coat your hands in rye flour and start rolling out the balls. Using the heel of your hand, smoosh the balls into a patty, and carefully dip them in the shallow plate of almond milk. Follow up immediately by transferring the patty to the Panko crumbs. If a wide grooved spatula works better for you, go for it. Remember to keep the work surface well doused in the rye flour:

Once this process is done, you're ready to cook your burgers! A frying pan with some olive oil works just fine for 7 - 10 minutes a side depending on the thickness of the burger, but the backyard grill works too. Serve with your favourite sauces, on a bun, on lettuce, however you prefer. Try grilling some pineapple slices on top, or incorporating some Daiya or Sheese for a Vegan Cheeseburger, and serving with chipotle veganaise, or crumble up and use as a base for a taco salad with corn, veggies, salsa, and vegan cheese. The recipe is highly variable, so have fun.

Happy grilling!

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