Meatless Monday: Lentil Millet Patties

In the ever running quest to find the perfect homemade veggie patty, or just a multitude of really delicious ones, because, really, who wants the pressure of "perfect", I bring you Lentil Millet Patties.  During a recent cooking lesson on the topic of grains and beans (and legumes), I taught my eager student how to make these hearty, protein rich, lentil millet patties and they were a huge hit with her meat eating brother and fiance.  With the holidays coming up, I find that many people are finding an increasing pressure to feed their families, or at least feed themselves with something their family would be happy eating as well.  This protein rich, nutrient dense lentil millet patties, a recipe that I learned to make at Bauman College, are a great addition to any menu.

**Serve with the basil cream sauce mentioned in my previous post for a special treat. :)

 

Lentil and Millet Burgers

Ingredients

½ C brown lentils

½ C millet

½ C sunflower seeds, toasted and ground

½ C crimini mushrooms, minced

½ C red onion, minced

3 cloves garlic

½ C finely grated carrot

1 T tamari

2 T arrowroot

1 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp thyme

Directions

1. Add lentils to a pot with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer. Simmer for about 40 minutes, or until very tender, almost mushy.

2. Once the lentils haves started, add millet to a pot with  1 ½ cups of water. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer and cover. Simmer and cover for 20-30 minutes or until water is absorbed and millet is soft and a porridge consistency, but not watery. If the millet is soft but still watery, leave the top off and cook until the water has evaporated.

3. Remove the cooked millet and allow to cool.

4. In the mean time, prepare the rest of the ingredients. Preheat oven to 350.

5. When the lentils are finished cooking, add to the bowl with millet and mash together with a potato masher until well combined.

6. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Form into patties and place on a parchment lined baking sheet and place in the oven.

7. Bake for about 20 minutes and allow to cool. The patties may seem a little soft but they will firm up as they cool.