Lentils, almonds, and other nuts
 
Serves: 5

Ingredients
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 cup brown, or French green lentils
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • ¾ cup finely chopped carrot
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped shallots, (about 2 medium)
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped celery, (about 1 stalk)
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions
  1. Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Stir in lentils, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until very tender and beginning to break down, about 25 minutes for brown lentils or 30 minutes for green lentils. Drain in a fine-mesh sieve.
  2. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add carrot, shallots and celery and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add almonds, thyme, salt and pepper; continue cooking until the almonds are lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a food processor; add 1 cup of the cooked lentils. Pulse several times, scraping down the sides once or twice, until the mixture is coarsely ground. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in the remaining lentils. Let cool for 10 minutes. Mix in egg yolk and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  3. Form the lentil mixture into 5 patties. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet, preferably cast-iron, over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn gently and continue to cook until lightly browned and heated through, 3 to 4 minutes more. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Information
Calories: 228 Fat: 9 g Carbohydrates: 27 g Sodium: 276 mg Fiber: 7 g Protein: 11 g