Lentil Walnut Burgers With Yogurt-Cilantro Sauce

For the burgers:
3/4 c. lentils, picked over and rinsed
3/4 c. walnuts
1/3 c. plain dried breadcrumbs
3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
2 t. ground cumin
2 t. ground coriander
1/4 to 1/2 t. red pepper flakes
4 T. olive oil
1 large egg
4 hamburger buns

For the sauce:
3/4 c. plain yogurt
2 T. fresh cilantro, chopped
1 T. lemon juice
coarse salt and pepper

For the sauce:
Whisk together all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

For the burgers:
Preheat oven to 350.
Place the lentils in a small saucepan, and cover with water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer. Cover, and cook until the lentils are tender but still holding their shape, 15-20 minutes. Drain well and cool.
Meanwhile, spread the walnuts on a baking sheet, and toast in the oven until fragrant and darkened, about 10 minutes. Let cool.
In a food processor, combine the walnuts, breadcrumbs, garlic, cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes, 1 1/2 t. salt and 1/4 t. pepper; process until finely ground. Add the lentils and 1 T. of the oil; pulse until coarsely chopped. (Some lentils should remain whole.)
In a large bowl, whisk the egg. Add the lentil mixture; mix well. Divide into 4 equal size parts; roll into balls, and flatten with the palm of your hand into 3/4 inch thick patties.
Heat the remaining 3 T. oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add the burgers; cook over medium low heat until crisp and browned, turning gently wit a thin edged spatula, 8-10 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate to drain. Serve on buns topped with yogurt sauce.

Makes 4 servings. Total time 40 minutes.

Verdict:
At least once a week I try to make a meatless meal. Sometimes when I am picking out recipes I think to myself "They are not going to like this." Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised and sometimes I am right, they don't like it. I knew when I was making this I was going out on a limb. Blake is not the biggest fan of "non meat" made to act like a burger, and then I was throwing the nuts into it. For him that is insult on top of insult. Both of us thought that it was alright. Not great. Not horrible. I think I overcooked the lentils and I didn't like that it has a spice "dryness" to it. Canon on the other hand loved it.