Smoked Cheddar And Lentil Burgers

Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 cup dried lentils
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1 cup shredded smoked cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 3 large egg whites, lightly beaten
• 8 teaspoons stone ground mustard
• 8 whole wheat hamburger buns (each bun should weight 2 oz.)
• 8 tomatoes, slices (1/4-inch thick slices)
• 2 cups trimmed arugula

Recipe

• 1 add the first 3 ingredients to a saucepan; bring to a boil.
• 2 cover, lower heat, and simmer 30 minutes or until tender; drain.
• 3 throw out bay leaves.
• 4 transfer lentils to a large mixing bowl; partially mash with a potato masher; cool slightly.
• 5 add oil to a medium nonstick skillet; heat over medium-high heat.
• 6 add in onion and carrot; stir/saute for 5 minutes or until tender; cool slightly.
• 7 add onion mixture, cheese, and the next 8 ingredients to the lentils; stir to mix well.
• 8 cover and chill for 45 minutes.
• 9 divided mixture into 8 portions; shape each portion into a 1/2-inch thick patty.
• 10 heat a grill pan coated wtih cooking spray over medium-high heat.
• 11 add half the patties; cook for 5 minutes on each side or until done.
• 12 repeat with remaining patties.
• 13 spread 1 teaspoon mustard on the top half of each bun; put 1 patty on the bottom half of each bun; top each serving with 1 tomato slice, 1/4 cup arugula and the top half of bun.