Recipe Corner

VEGAN BURGER WITH AUBERGINE & LENTIL This delicious vegan burger is perfect for grilling and is extremely flavourful. A sumptuous combination of aubergine and lentil, it can be garnished with your favourite toppings such as guacamole and watercress!

Equipment Blender Digital scale Measuring cups and spoons Saucepan Wooden spoon Chef’s knife Cutting board Baking sheet Strainer Spatula Mixing bowl Oven-safe frypan

Ingredients 100g (½ cup) dry lentils 4 sprigs thyme ½ carrot 100g (1 stalk) celery, diced ½ red onion, peeled and diced ½ tsp salt 3 aubergines 2 portobello mushrooms, gills cleaned 3 garlic cloves, peeled ½ tsp smoked paprika 30g (¼ cup) bread crumbs 1 tsp pomegranate molasses 10g (¼ cup) fresh coriander leaves 20g (¼ cup) mint leaves 15g (¼ cup) flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 200C (400F).

Place lentils, thyme, carrot, celery, and red onion in a small saucepan. Cover with water, add a pinch of salt or two, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until lentils are soft.

Roughly chop the aubergine and sprinkle with ½ tsp of salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes for the moisture to release.

Dry and spread the aubergine onto a large baking sheet, along with the mushrooms and garlic. Sprinkle with paprika and bake for 20 minutes or until roasted.

Drain the lentils and leave to steam dry while the vegetables are roasting. Pick the thyme sprigs out of the lentils and discard.

Recipe and image adapted from Vitamix, supplied by Kitchen Warehouse.

Place the aubergine mixture and the lentil mixture into a blender. Select Variable 1, start the machine and increase to its highest speed. Blend for 30 seconds. Use the tamper to push the ingredients into the blades. Reduce the speed to Variable 8 and blend for another 20 seconds. The mixture should be smooth. For more texture in your burger, blend for less time.

Transfer into a mixing bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, pomegranate molasses and herbs then mix to combine. Portion into 6 patties (100g each) and place in the refrigerator to set for at least an hour.

To cook, preheat the oven to 180C (375F). Place a frying pan over medium-high heat and add oil to the pan. Fry the burgers for 3 minutes on each side then place in the oven for 5 minutes or until completely heated through.