Vegan Lentil Patties (Dairy and Gluten Free)

These patties have lots of flavour and an added crunch from the sunflower seeds.  This mixture can be made into a loaf and baked at 350F for 25 minutes or add a bun and make a burger.  They taste great with a little of my Creamy Dressing on the side.

Ingredients (makes 4-6 patties)

• 1 small diced onion
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 cup diced mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon turmeric
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 2 teaspoons coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup lentils (see step 1 for cooking instructions)
• 1 cup rice or chickpeas (see step 1 for cooking instructions)
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds or walnuts
• 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds soaked in 5 tablespoons water for 3-5 minutes
• 1 cup chickpea flour for coating patties
• oil for frying

Directions

1. If using rice or buckwheat, you can cook them in the same pot with the lentils and the spices. Add ingredients with to a large pot and add 4 cups water.  Cook for approximately 20 minutes until soft and adjusting water if needed. For cooking dried chickpeas see below.
2. In a frying pan heat oil and cook onions and mushrooms until soft.  Add garlic and cook another minute.
3. In a large bowl mix all ingredients except oil and chickpea flour.  In a food processor or using a hand mixer blend all ingredients together.  Make patties and roll into chickpea flour.
4. Fry in pan for approximately 5 minutes on each side or until heated and browned.

Soaking and Cooking Beans or Peas

*I generally cook extra beans and freeze the remaining.   The method below will create approximately 4-5 cups of beans.

Option 1-soaking then boiling (more environmental, slower)

1. In a large bowl add 2 cups dry beans, rinse with water and remove any poor looking beans.  Add 6 cups fresh cold water to cleaned beans.
2. Let soak for 6-8 hours on counter.
3. Rinse beans and place in a large pot.  Add 6 cups fresh water to the pot and bring to a boil.  Tilting the lid a little let the beans simmer for 1 -2 hours depending on the bean.

Option 2- boiling then boiling again (uses more electricity, quicker)

1. In a large pot add 2 cups dry beans, rinse with water and remove any poor looking beans. 
2. Add 7 cups fresh water to cleaned pot and bring to a boil, turn off and let sit for 1 hour  
3. Rinse beans  again and add 6 cups fresh water to the pot and bring to a boil.  Tilting the lid a little let the beans simmer for 1 -2 hours depending on the bean.