Lentil and Black Bean Burgers with Avocado Sauce

My husband and I went to Seattle for Labor day weekend and we ate at some AMAZING restaurants, thanks to the suggestion of Erins friend Annmarie! For lunch one day Nick ordered a lentil mushroom burger and it was fantastic. We have been craving that burger ever since. I decided to try to make some, and they turned out pretty good, not as good as the one we had in Seattle, but that is a good reason to go back ;).

 Lentil and Black Bean Burgers with Avocado Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 3/4 cup dried red lentils
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 cup red onion, diced
• 1/2 cup carrots, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 cups mushrooms, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 7 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 teaspoon block pepper
• 3/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 egg whites
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 6 hamburger buns
• 1 medium red onion, sliced and sauteed for the top of the burgers. 

Directions

1. To Prepare the burger, combine water, lentils, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium low and simmer 20 minutes. Drain and set aside

2. Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add the onions, carrot, and garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes and add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the mushrooms, oregano, and pepper and continue to cook for another 3 minutes. 

3. Place onion mixture in a large bowl with the black beans and let it cool for a minute.

4. Add the lentils, breadcrumbs, lemon juice and egg whites. Cover and chill 30 minutes to an hour. (the mixture is going to be really hard to handle until it cools slightly)

5. Divide the lentil mixture into 6 equal portions, shaping each portion into 1/2 inch thick patty. 

6. Heat the vegetable oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add lentil patties and cook for 5 minutes each side. 

7 Assemble the patties how you would like, I put lettuce, avocado sauce and sautéed some onion on mine, you can add cheese or whatever you like. 

Avocado Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 avocado, chopped
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 jalepeno, seeded and chopped
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend for 1 minute or until the mixture is smooth. 

2. Season with salt and pepper to you taste and serve with lentil burger or sweet potato fries

-Tara