How dreamy does a veggie burger that actually sticks together sound?!
Trader Joe’s pre-cooked lentils are one of the best things that ever happened to my crazy kitchen. It’s not like standing over the stove for thirty minutes watching lentils cook is the worst thing that could ever happen to me, but I can think of seventy-eight other things I’d rather be doing. Like washing my socks.
Or eating these blondie bites.
Or flossing.
Sometimes life takes unexpected turns. Sometimes those turns help build you up and sometimes they bring you to your knees. Sometimes those really, insanely, intensely crappy things happen out of no where and they make you too lazy and too sad and too numb to wash your socks, floss, and eat blondies.
And cook lentils.
So thank you Trader Joe’s for giving me the gift of cooked lentils when the last thing I want to do with my thirty minutes of free times is stare at simmering legumes. Thank you black Zella leggings for comforting my legs when jeans sound about as appetizing as fat-free mayonnaise. Thank you Barnes and Noble for giving me the gift of thousands of unread pages to occupy my racing mind.
And last but not least, thank you lentil burgers for sticking together when other things are falling apart!
- 1 large carrot, grated
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
- 2 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, de-seeded and chopped
- 2½ cups cooked lentils (17.6oz)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1½ tbsp peanut butter
- ⅓ cup whole-grain breadcrumbs
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and spray liberally with olive oil spray.
- Place grated carrot, cilantro, ginger, garlic and jalapeño in a large food processor. Pulse a few times until combined.
- Add the rest of the ingredients. Process until all of the ingredients are well-combined, but not to the point where the mixture is a paste. There should still be some texture!
- Form mixture into 5 burgers. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden.
The winner of the Whole Foods giveaway is Halle! Congratulations!
Hope everything is okay chica! Everyone talks about these precooked lentils from Trader Joes- I need to find them and buy them and make these burgers asap because you can never have enough ginger in your life!
Dietitian Jess recently posted…Christmas Recovery Workout
Thanks Jess 🙂 I agree–ginger is the bomb.com!
Alexis, these burgs look fabulous. I hope whatever is going on is short lived. Hugs!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} recently posted…Top Ten Recipes of 2014
Thanks so much, Maryea! Me too.
Why have I never purchased these from TJ’s? I’m all for anything that saves me time in the kitchen–WIN!
Erin @ The Almond Eater recently posted…Comfy Shoe Alert: ASICS GEL-Fit Sana
It’s a game-changer, my friend!
I lurve yew and can’t wait to make these thangs. Going thru hummusapien this week to set myself up for success now that I’m back in town. Thanks for being so giving and loving, and namely, for being you.
Love you too, April! Thanks for the support 🙂 XO
These look and sound incredible! I too LOVE the pre-cooked lentils from TJ’s when things get busy….hope you’re able to take a break in there! Happy New Year!
Chelsey recently posted…Chocolate Coconut Date Truffles and New Years Resolutions
I am sorry you have been having a bit of a rough time, but I am SO happy that you made these. They sound fantastic! I am totally with you on HATING the lentil cooking part. I need to start buying them pre-cooked.
Hannah @CleanEatingVeggieGirl recently posted…Christmas Weekend Wrap-Up
Thanks Hannah 🙂 You’re so good at cooking lentils!! But I think you’d be obsessed with how convenient these are.
I discovered those little pre-cooked TJ’s lentils just last week and I’m now officially over my fear of lentils! Totally in love… and now excited to try them in a new recipe!
Sarah recently posted…{Adults Only} Egg Nog Ice Cream
Awesome! I’m so glad you have them for this recipe!
I hope everything is okay! Sending love and light your way!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance recently posted…New Years Eve Outfit Ideas
Thanks doll!!
These look so delicious!! Some conveniences are worth it – like lentils! And I LOVE my black Zella leggings too.
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon recently posted…Crisp Tossed Salad with Polenta Squares & Lime Agave Dressing
I agree! Speaking of convenience foods…I’m starting to think that buying pomegranate arils would be a gazillion times better than hacking at the pom with a wooden spoon until my shirt is covered in red red dots!
Just found your blog through fitness loft. Love your blog. Tip on pomegranates. Get large mixing bowl and fill with water. Score the fruit. Place under water to pull apart and retrieve seeds. Way less mess.
Awesome! Great tip–I tried it tonight!
Sounds like these lentils are the ultimate “comfort” food at the moment. Hope you start feeling better soon!
Dana | fresh simple five recently posted…Grandma’s Sugar Cookies
Thanks, Dana! I never thought of lentils as comfort food, but you nailed it 🙂
These look amazing lady! Having a firm veggie burger is the best!
I hope you are ok love, and that the rough time passes soon. Breathe through it and remember… this too shall pass! xx
Lauren recently posted…2014 And A Pledge For 2015
Don’t you just love a firm veggie burg?! Thanks for the kind words, Lauren 🙂
Hope everything is okay with you girl! Just stay strong and push through. <3
Veggie burgers that fall apart are the bane of my existence. These look perfect!
Chelsea @ Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…Month In Review: December 2014
Love TJ’s precooked lentils! Thx for the recipe.
PS I saw up above you hate hacking at your pomegranates… if you cut it in half, then fill a big bowl with water, put the pom under the water and start getting the arils out. So much easier!! It’ll change your life 🙂
That sounds dreamy!! Thanks for the tip.
Hey Alexis, just wanted you to know how much you’ve inspired me in these past several months I’ve been following your blog. You are an amazing young dietitian! You have passion, energy, creativity, and a down-to-earth REAL-NESS that is just so darn endearing! Your writing just seems to reflect YOU- positive, witty, too *&!$ funny, even when things are hard. You go, girl! Whatever you are going through now, I wish you the best through it. Stay focussed on the important things, not the urgent things. And take care of yourself too! Coming from a mom of 3 and fellow MS/RD… 🙂
Wow, Rebecca–thank you so much for that sincere, heartfelt comment. It really made my day when I needed it most 🙂 Thanks for the support!
Where the hell were the cooked lentils when I was too distraught to wait 30 minutes, eat blondies or floss last week?! I tell yah, re-prepared food is a GODsend around the holidays. Screw making things from scratch, we’ve got emotions to feel.
Yes to these burz that stick together…and the ginger?! Slap me in the mouth with these. Love you, my dear!
Julia recently posted…Golden Beet and Fennel Soup
“Screw making things from scratch, we’ve got emotions to feel.” <-- This is precisely why I adore you.
Whaaattt? I’m at Trader Joe’s all the time & have never seen these. Definitely making a special trip for some!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…A Look Back – Top Recipes & Posts of 2014
You better!
I think i actually most of the ingreidents on hand! Will most likely be trying these soon! Yum!
athletic avocado recently posted…Banana Cinnamon Cranberry Muffins with Maple Sunbutter Frosting+ Sunbutter Review!
Awesome! Let me know how they turn out.
Do you think these could be baked any ideas on time?
Yep! Maybe 20ish minutes per side?
Hey Alexis 🙂
First off, I just want to say that I’m a huuuuuuuge fan of your blog and recipes. They’re so delish, creative, and fun to make and you make it sound so fun haha anyways… I was wondering if these could be made vegan with flax instead of eggs and, if so, how much?
Thanks a million
– Gaby
Thanks, Gaby! They won’t stick together as well with flax, but 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water (let it sit for 5 min to gel) equates to one egg.