Burgers and Fries

I don't have long, thoughtful thoughts today but I do have a happy thing to share. Ezekiel 4:9:

Take though also unto thee what and barley, and beans, and lentils and millet 

and [spelt], and put them in one vessel, and make thee break thereof"

Have you heard about this company? There really is a bakery Food for Life, that sells bread as prescribed in this scripture. They also feature another scripture recipe, Genesis 1:29. It humors me that someone really came up with a recipe for the prescribed ingredients and is selling it, and turning a profit off of it. We tried the scriptural English muffins as burger buns for our dinner. Not a traditional English muffin at all, but still satisfying and tasty. 

Have you tried anything from Food for Life? What do you think of scripture recipes?

I'm humored, and full.

So we had burgers and fries for dinner, but we did not frequent the golden arches around the corner from my townhouse. We had something MUCH better, I will take on the so-called food at that fast food filling station any day. I made my favorite lentil walnut burgers with salt and vinegar oven fries. Sorry you are minus a picture for the fries (it is on the other camera which is MIA). You will just have to take my word on their awesomeness. Really, really good. 


I don't like to eat just any non-meat burger, but this is not just any burger. This is my favorite. Really. Lentils, toasted walnuts, and lots of spice held together with a bit of egg and some bread crumbs. And then there is the requisite sauce: a tangy yogurt cilantro sauce that makes the whole thing happen for me. I keep vowing to always increase the sauce recipe, but alas. I forgot this time and it was another scrape the sauce bowl clean night. The inspired combo will help you along your way to seeing possibilities other than meat between two halves of a bun. 


And then if you feel the same way I do about salt and vinegar chips (kettle cooked, please) then you will be wanting some of these oven fries alongside. Oy, heaven. I have never known a more flavor packed oven fry before these. But I am going to make you wait for that recipe. I really want to find where my children have moved the camera to and so that recipe will come in a day when I have the picture... 


Until then, the burgers.

     Lentil-Walnut Burgers

      tweaked from Everyday Food

   

      3/4 cup toasted walnuts, cooled

      1/3 cup plain dried breadcrumbs  

      3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

      2 teaspoons ground cumin

      2 teaspoons ground coriander

      1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes

      Coarse salt and ground pepper

      1 1/4 cup lentils, cooked, drained, and cooled

      4 tablespoons olive oil

      1 large egg

      Yogurt-Cilantro Sauce:

      3/4 cup plain yogurt

      Coarse salt and ground pepper

      2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

      1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

       In a food processor, combine walnuts, breadcrumbs, garlic, cumin, coriander, pepper 
       flakes, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; process until finely ground. 
       Add lentils and egg pulse until just combined. It is fine for some lentils to still be whole

       Divide into 4 equal-size parts; roll into balls, and flatten with the palm of your hand        
       into  3/4 inch-thick patties.

       Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add burgers; cook over 
       medium-low heat until crisp and browned, turning gently with a thin-edged spatula,
       8 to 10 minutes per side. Or optionally, cook with no added oil in a contact grill or press
       for about 5 minutes. Place on toasty buns and serve with lots of sauce, greens and         
       tomatoes.

       Do you have a favorite alternative burger?