For several years in the refrigerated counters of practically all supermarkets they have been depopulated vegetarian alternatives to hamburgers, nuggets or other meat preparations. But did you know that you can prepare them at home easily and cheaply? With our recipe for lentil burgers you will be amazed at how simple it is to obtain tasty, light, healthy burgers in just a few steps and with a good protein intake, suitable for vegetarians but also perfect for those who want a different option from meat proteins, without sacrificing taste. The lentil burger they have a full, satisfying flavour, a firm texture that is very reminiscent of classic beef and are truly filling. You can accompany them with a nice dice of vegetables, a mixed salad, a nice plate of tomatoes or why not the classic accompaniment to hamburgers: fries. You can enjoy them sprinkled with a cream of chickpeas or peanuts, or opt for melted Emmental. They are generally served as a second course, but together with a portion of brown rice and seasonal vegetables they represent an original and, above all, balanced dish.

Preparation

1

Tick, peel the carrot and cut it into pieces.

2

Remove the water from the lentils and wash them under running water. Insert the lentils, the carrot, a spoonful of EVO oil, fine salt and black pepper into a mixer and activate.

3

Put the lentil mixture, 5 tablespoons of breadcrumbs and an egg in a bowl and mix the ingredients.

4

Put a base of breadcrumbs on a plate, place a pasta bowl on top and start filling it with the lentil mixture. With the help of a spoon, crush the mixture inside. Once the pasta bowl is filled, sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top.

5

Repeat the process until you get 6 burgers.

6

Once ready, you can fry them in a pan with a drizzle of EVO oil over a medium heat for 5 minutes on each side.

Advice and tips

The lentil burgers can also be cooked in the oven: arrange the burgers on a baking tray covered with parchment paper, brush the surface with a drizzle of oil, bake in preheated oven at 180 degrees for about 20 minuteschecking in any case halfway through cooking.

In Italy we boast at least fifteen varieties of lentils, so you can vary according to your tastes and experiment with the type of lentil you prefer or the one most easily available in your area.

Curiosity

Lentils are small legumes that however contain extraordinary properties. Rich in protein, fiber, iron, magnesium and potassium, they are also very nutritious and energetic: in 100 g of product we find about 291 kcal.

They are recommended for those suffering from anemia, psychophysical fatigue and malnutrition. They contain powerful antioxidants and vitamins such as PP, useful for fighting free radicals, helping memory, concentration and improving metabolism. They also promote milk production in breastfeeding women.

storage

The lentil burgers should be eaten at the moment, but if you really have any left over, cover them well and put them in the fridge, taking care to consume them andwithin 1-2 days. The raw “dough” can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for 2-3 days.