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August 23, 2004

Lentil Burgers with Tzatziki

Tzatziki:
1 cup grated peeled English cucumber
1 1/2 cups plain low-fat yogurt
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

Patties:
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2/3 cup dried lentils
1/4 cup sun-dried tomato sprinkles
2/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/3 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
1/3 cup toasted wheat germ
3 tablespoons chopped pitted kalamata olives
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cooking spray
8 (1 1/2-ounce) whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted
12 arugula leaves
2 tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices (about 3/4 pound)

To prepare tzatziki, place cucumber on paper towels, and squeeze until barely moist. Place in a medium bowl. Spoon yogurt onto several layers of heavy-duty paper towels; spread to 1/2-inch thickness. Cover with additional paper towels, and let stand for 5 minutes. Scrape into bowl using a rubber spatula. Add the salt, crushed garlic, green onions, and extra-virgin olive oil; chill.

To prepare patties, heat 2 teaspoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 2 minutes or until tender. Stir in oregano, red pepper, and garlic; cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in broth, lentils, and sun-dried tomatoes; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 35 minutes or until lentils are tender; drain. Cool.

Place lentil mixture, cheese, and the next 6 ingredients (cheese through black pepper) in a food processor; pulse until coarsely ground. Divide lentil mixture into 8 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty.

Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add patties, and cook for 3 minutes. Turn patties over, and cook over medium heat 3 minutes. Spread 1 tablespoon tzatziki evenly on each bun top and bottom. Arrange the arugula, patties, and tomato slices over bottom halves of buns; top with remaining bun halves.

Note: You can freeze any uncooked lentil patties for up to 1 month: Separate the patties with wax paper, place in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag, remove excess air, seal, and freeze. Thaw in refrigerator before cooking.

Posted by carcharhinid at August 23, 2004 08:29 PM

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