Lentil Burgers

Dear Jess,

I have been making a lot of 'patties' lately. Tuna, salmon, chicken... you name it. One reason is because they're an easy lunch for both Alice and me; and second because they're easy to take with us, when Alice needs to eat while we're out. (Plus, they're yummy!) This led me to want to try this recipe.

If you're looking for a cost-effective, vegetarian, filling dinner, look no further! I found this on good old Pinterest, and decided it was worth trying out. I had to make a few modifications, but in the end, dinner was a success!

Lentil Burgers
adapted from www.veganinthefreezer.com
1 cup dried green lentils
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely grated
3/4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (not in their shells!)
1 egg
3/4 cup bread crumbs (I made some from my gluten free bread)
4 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
all purpose flour (I used spelt flour)
coconut oil for frying

1. Add you lentils and 2 cups of water to a pot. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. Saute onion and carrot in a wee bit of olive oil for 5 minutes (or until onion is softened, but not browned). Add these to a bowl with the remaining ingredients. Add lentils, and mix well.

3. Transfer to a a food processor, and pulse 5 or six times. Just enough to break it down slightly. Transfer back to your bowl, and slowly add flour until it reaches a consistency that can be formed into burgers. (I only added around 1/4 cup... maybe 1/3 cup.)

4. Heat coconut oil in a large frying pan on medium/medium-high heat. There should be a good layer of oil on the whole pan. Heat until a little piece of lentil sizzles when dropped on the oil. Form your burgers into the desired size patties, and cook for about 3 minutes on each side.

5. Serve on desired bun, pita, bed of greens... with desired condiments. (I made a curried mayo, and served them with oven roasted veggies! Mmmmm)

This will also serve as Jason's lunch tomorrow! Win for Sally!

I hope you're feeling well, and still have energy! I hope to see you before the baby arrives!

Love,

Butternut Squash and Lentil Curry

Dear Jess,

I am having a feverish love-affair with butternut squash. I can't stop thinking about what I can make next with it! Roasted, sauteed, soups, chilies... and in this case: curry!

This is a recipe I have made at least once a week for the past month and a half! I am even going to go so far as make a batch just to freeze so I can have it constantly on hand!

Butternut Squash and Lentil Curry
adapted from dishingupthedirt.com

1 cup dry, brown lentils
1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
1-2 Tbsp ginger, peeled and grated
1 cup broth (your choice. I used chicken broth)
1 1/2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp tumeric
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
dash of cinnamon
dash of pepper
1/3 cup full fat coconut milk (plus extra, depending on the desired consistency)

Preheat oven to 400F. Place squash cubed on a lined baking sheet, and drizzle with a little oil and salt. Roast for around 20 minutes, or until tender. Remove from oven and set aside.

Cook lentils in a pot of boiling water for about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet saute onion in oil. Add ginger, and saute until onions are tender. (5-10 minutes) Add cooked squash and broth. Simmer 8-10 minutes. Reduce heat and blend with an immersion blender. (A regular blender will do the trick too.) Add curry powder, tomato paste, tumeric, cinnamon, salt and coconut milk. Stir in lentils and heat through.

I usually add more coconut milk to loosen it up a bit. I will end up using about 3/4 of the can. It's totally up to you and your preferences though.

Serve on rice, quinoa, vermicelli noodles... whatever your pleasure!

I know it looks like a plop of a substance you don't usually speak of at dinner... but this dish is so delicious, and smells irresistible! I hope your Autumn is breezy, and full of colour. I miss you greatly, and am looking forward to our next visit.

Love,

Dahl Lentil Soup

Dear Jess,

Oh man! That pasta looked extremely tasty!

I'm so happy to hear that your trip went well. The beaches were my favourite part out there as well. Well... that and Green Gables!

This recipe came from me wanting another comfy, cozy, dinner on a hot day. Weird, but the baby gets what the baby wants (which has also been a lot of pizza...) Another bonus is this is extremely cheep to make! So during that week or month where money is a little tight... this is the answer!

Dahl Lentil Soup
adapted from www.foodopera.com

1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp milk curry powder
1 tsp tumeric (optional)
1 x 400g can diced tomatoes
6 small potatoes
2 cups chicken broth (or water)
1 cup canned red lentils, rinsed
Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt to serve.

Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion and garlic for 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft.

Add the curry powder and tumeric and cook for 1 minutes, until fragrant.

Stir in the tomatoes, broth and potatoes. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20-10 minutes (or until potatoes are tender)

Add lentils and warm through. Remove from heat.

If desired (as I did) use your immersion blender to blend to desired consistency.

I hope your summer is going well! Mine is flying by!

Love,