Friday, August 17, 2007

Red Lentil Patties with Cilantro Sauce

This comes from the Healthy Hedonist and is similar to but different enough from the Red Lentil and Chickpea Burgers. I made this wed and as usually happens with Myra Kornfelf recipes about ate it all before it even got to the table!

I rec doubling the sauce. DH thought that the bean mixture (before shaping into patties) would make a great dip with some added seasonings- either curry for an indian and a bit unusual dip or mexican/hot pepper seasonings.

Red Lentil Patties with Cilantro Sauce
Healthy Hedonist
1 cup basmati rice (I subbed Red Bhutanese rice as she suggested)
1/2 cup red lentils
4 cups water
1/2 teaspoon ground tumeric
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons plus 4 teaspoons coconut oil, sesame oil, or ghee (I used sesame oil)
1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
2 cups finely diced onions
1/4 teaspoons hot red pepper flakes
1/4 cup arrowroot powder
Cilantro Sauce- recipe follows

Wash the rice and lentils, and drain them. Place them in a medium saucepan and add the water, turmeric, and salt. Cover and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Uncover the pan and simmer, without stirring, until the water is absorbed, 15 minutes. (This took closer to 25- I wonder if its because I used the Red Bhutanese rice. It still looked kinda soupy but the recipe worked great anyway.)

Meanwhile, warm the 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and saute until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until well browned, about 12 minutes. Stir in the red pepper flakes and remove the skillet from the heat. Add the mixture to the cooked rice and lentils. Stir to combine. Taste, and add salt if necessary. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let it sit until cool enough to handle, about 20 minutes.

Spread the arrowroot on a large plate. Form the lentil mixture into 8 patties. Dredge the patties in the arrowroot, and place them on a clean plate.Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 patties and saute until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining oil and patties. Serve warm, drizzled with the Cilantro Sauce.


Cilantro Sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup unsweeten coconut milk, stirred before measuring
1 jalapeno chile, stemmed and seeded
1 garlic cloveone 1-inch piece fresh ginger
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. The sauce will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 5 days.