The Mean Green Lentil Burger

Ingredients

• 2 Cups cooked green lentils, 1 Cup left in pan to cook further, 1 Cup in a large mixing bowl
• 4 Ounces de-hydrated shiitake mushrooms
• 2 cloves diced garlic
• 1 shallot, diced
• 2 Teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 Teaspoon fine ground black pepper
• 1 Cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1 fennel buPoundand fronds
• 1 Tablespoon and 2 Tablespoon butter
• 1 Tablespoon flour
• 1 Cup whole milk
• 2 Cups aged white cheddar, shredded
• 6 large green leaf lettuce leaves
• 6-8 slices of large heirloom tomato
• 1 Cup chili sauce
• 1/2 Teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 Pound thick sliced bacon
• 6 pack of Brioche buns
• baking sheet with parchment paper
• cast iron grill plate
• medium saute pan
• 2 medium sauce pans
• Oil spray

Instructions

• 1.
• Set oven to 350 F. Tray bacon on baking sheet with parchment. Bake until crispy, about 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• 2. Put shiitake mushrooms in sauce pan with 1/2 Cup water. Hydrate, remove from water, and put 1 Cup cooked lentils in mushroom water, turning burner on to cook the lentils a little more. Add garlic and 1/2 of shallot. Once water is cooked out, remove from heat and gently mash. Chop mushrooms in 1/4 inch pieces.
• 3. Take the other 1 Cup of cooked lentils, place in large mixing bowl. Add mushrooms and mashed lentil mix.
• 4. Season with 1 Teaspoon of salt and pepper. Add panko and eggs. Place in refrigerator.
• 5. In sauce pan on med heat, melt 1 Tablespoon of butter, add flour, and let bubble until a bit tan in color, 2 minutes. Remove from pan to a small dish, set aside.
• 6. In same pan on low heat, warm the milk and remaining shallot, about 5 minutes.
• 7. While milk is warming, slice fennel buPoundin 1/4 inch slices, place in saute pan with remaining 2 Tablespoon butter.
• Add 1/2 Teaspoon salt and pepper. Saute until soft, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
• 8. Take milk off of heat, and whisk in about 1/2 of rue mix. Slowly whisk in the shredded cheddar cheese until smooth, set aside.
• 9. Pre-heat the grill plate (either indoor or outdoor) on medium heat. Take lentil mix out of rerigerator and
• form into 6 patties, about 5/8 inch thick, onto a baking sheet with individual pieces of parchment paper. spray the top sides with oil spray, and place on grill plate. Cook for 4 minutes on each side, spraying the 2nd side before turning. Be sure the patties get a nice brown crust. Dust with remaining 1/2 Teaspoon salt and pepper.
• 10. Lightly toast your brioche buns. In a small bowl, whisk chili sauce, curry and coriander.
• 11. Assembly: bottom bun, lightly brush with chili sauce. Place lettuce leaf, tomato slice, lentil patty, sauteed fennel, fresh fennel fronds, bacon, and top with creamy bechamel. Finish with bun top. Dig in!!!