This is a recipe that's been on my to-make list forrrr-evahh. I kept buying the ingredients for it and then having to re-buy jalapenos and cilantro because they went bad. I spotted the recipe on Healthy Delicious's blog on June 3 and almost made them that very night. Last night was August 3. And I finally decided to just do it.
I totally changed the name of the recipe because I don't like the word "patty" for some reason (they were originally called Southwest Lentil Patties). I guess it's OK if it's a hamburger patty, but otherwise it's just a girl's name (and I always imagine said Patty to have red hair... Or to be Peppermint Patty from the Peanuts gang- the one who had a crush on Charlie Brown). So, I like the word cake better. Even though it could be considered dessert-like. It's also like a crab cake. OK, done analyzing. Let's get cooking.
Southwest Lentil Cakes with Creamy Lime Dressing (serves about 3):
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 jalapeno, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped (about ¼ C)
- 1 carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 C cooked lentils
- 1 whole egg and 1 egg white
- 2 T cilantro, chopped
- ¼ C breadcrumbs
- 1 T + 1 t cumin, divided
- 1 lime, juiced
- 4 T reduced fat sour cream
- Salt
This recipe was actually super easy, save for some chopping. I did most of it while chatting it up on the phone with my mom. First I got my lentils cooking in water. (I just boil 1.5 C water for 1 C lentils. When it's boiling, put my lentils in, reduce to simmer and cover for about 20 minutes until all water is absorbed). When they were done, I set them aside to cool a bit.
Then I chopped about ¼ C of onion, a jalapeno (I was going to use 2, but after chopping one, I realized it was more than enough), a carrot, and my garlic (using my Chef'n Garlic Zoom, of course).
I heated about 1 T of olive oil in a frying pan and added the onion, jalapeno, carrot, and garlic in. I cooked it for about 3 minutes.
Then I got out a big mixing bowl and combined the sauteed veggies with the cooked lentils.
I also added in the eggs (1 whole egg and 1 egg white), the breadcrumbs, the cumin, and the cilantro. And mixed it all up.
I formed patties or cakes (!!) with the sticky lentil mixture. The recipe says to use about a tablespoon and make a half-dollar coin shape. I can't for the life of me remember the last time I've seen a half-dollar coin, so I just played it by ear. I ended up with 9 cakes, which is what the recipe said I should have.
Then I put the frying pan back over medium heat and cooked the patties for about 2 minutes on each side.
And then I almost set off the smoke detector several times. Which would have been kind of embarrassing since we just moved in. We haven't really met many neighbors and there's a concierge who's always at the front desk (near our unit) and I wasn't interested in making any scenes. Luckily, I avoided any incidents. And the cakes cooked up pretty nicely.
I decided to put my lentil cakes atop a bed of baby spinach. I also made the dressing in the recipe. Which simply combines the reduced-fat sour cream, lime, and 1 t cumin. It called for 2 limes, but after juicing 1, the dressing was liquidy enough. Maybe my limes were just super juicy! But it was pretty perfect.
I actually got a tad bit nervous serving these to Chris for dinner. Like, he'd look at me and be like "where's the meat?" Not that he would ever speak to me that way. I think he pretty much just appreciates that I cook him dinner a lot. And force him to try new things (right, honey?!) But if there's not meat, there should be pasta or something, right?
Well, no. I actually forgot these lentil cakes have jalapenos in them. And Chris loves pretty much everything with jalapenos in it. PLUS, lentils are incredibly filling. After eating 3 of the "cakes" atop some spinach with creamy lime dressing, I was totally full. And so was Chris. Yay lentils!
Plus, we were both very aware that we had these waiting in the freezer for us.
Guys, it's going to be really dangerous living so close to a 7-11. Ice cream, cookies, Slurpies, oh my!
But seriously, these lentil cakes were awesome. I was really happy with how they came out and they're the perfect topping to any boring old salad. Or you could just eat them alone for a snack. Which I'll most likely be doing later today. They're flavorful, filling, and pretty unique, too.
I'm so glad I finally made these lentil cakes! And you better believe I'll be making them again soon 🙂
Gap Jeans Giveaway Winner!
You guys were AWESOME with all your moving advice for me. I feel so lucky that it went fairly smoothly... That said, I hope I don't have to move again for a long, long time. Fingers crossed! Anyway, I used Random.org to select a winner and that winner is Joanne from Eats Well With Others!!
By the way, Joanne has one of the most awesomest blogs ever, so go read it if you're not already. She's a beautifully entertaining writer AND she just made her own pretzel rolls. So there. Now she's going to start rocking some new Gap jeans! Congrats, Joanne... We'll contact you to get your address ASAP!
[Sues]
Claudia says
These beg to be made. I adore lentils and I love the flavorings. I am also guilty of bringing home produce to make something. Not making it. Having produce go bad. And starting the cycle over again. But seriously - yes, I will make these.
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
There is a place in DC that makes lime sour cream that is to die for so I love the sound of this dressing! Cool and creamy cannot be beat in these warm months :).
Victoria says
Ohhh, I want to try these! I love making cakes out of beans, but lentils sound very good.
Kelly says
Yum, I love lentils so these lentil cakes sound delicious! Glad you managed to avoid the smoke detector, at my parents place at the Cape the oven is right next to one- TERRIBLE planning, we set it off every time we cook.
Hope you enjoyed the ice cream 🙂
Erica says
Ow- these look so good. I must prefer homemade lentil/burger "cakes" 😉 to the store bought version (aka cardboard). Perfect on a bed of lettuce and veggies. Hope you're having a good week and enjoying the new place!!
The Duo Dishes says
Finish up a super healthy dinner with a little ice cream. Balance is always nice. 🙂
Alycia @ Fit n Fresh says
Holy yum!! Those look scrumptious! I've wanted to a try a lentil burger for a while - you just made my day 🙂
Pam says
Congrats Joanne! The lentil cakes look amazing.
Emily @ The Happy Home says
oooh! are you sure you girls aren't secretly going vegetarian? lentils are on my list of top 10 vegetarian essentials, and this dish looks absolutely hearty and delish. and if it goes into the frying pan, you know i'll eat it.
Fun and Fearless in Beantown says
I love lentils and these definitely seem hearty enough that you're not missing the meat! Also, totally feel you on the 7-11. I live near a 24 hour CVS. It is so convenient and yet totally deadly.
Mary says
Love this post! Those sound diving... and I LOVE what was for dessert!
Happy I found you guys!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Shannon says
ooh, those sound delish! totally going on my to-make list 🙂 congrats joanne!
Sarah @ Aubergine says
Those look delicious and so simple.
I used to live down the street from a Shoppers Drug Mart (Canadian drugstore) and it was definitely my downfall. Fantastic if I fell ill and needed supplies, but otherwise, it was just too easy to sneak down there and buy chocolate/chips/ice cream/etc. My favourite Vietnamese take-out restaurant was down there, too, and that meant ordering pretty regularly.
Naiomi(onefitfoodie) says
AHH those look So delicious! 🙂
Susan says
Yay, Joanne! Congratulations on your win. These lentil cakes look fantastic - They may not win a beauty pageant but love the taste. Maybe Miss Congeniality?
Megan says
Looks like a great recipe! Wimpy me would probably skip the jalapenos, but otherwise I'm in! That last picture of them is just stunning. Do you have more natural light in your new place? Hope you're settling in!
Joanne says
God do those lentil cakes sound good! I always love bean patties and especially lentil ones because they have such an awesome texture.
Ben and Jerry's is dangerous stuff. I might have to go buy some now.
Thanks so much for the giveaway win! Maybe now this will be incentive for me to actually lose the ten pounds that I've gained from not running so that I can fit into my old pants size...
And thanks so much for the sweet words! You are awesome!
Bridget says
I've been looking for some new fun Lentil recipes!! I have a bag and don't know what to do with it! These look so good!! Love the idea! Mmmmm Ben and Jerry's 🙂
Mary says
These really sound delicious. I've not had great luck with lentil patties in the past but I'm certainly willing to give these beauties a try. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary
Kerstin says
I love lentils and these cakes look so addicting!
A says
This fell apart for me...but it was still tasty as a "scramble"
Vidya says
Okay can I just say that as a vegetarian with way too much experience eating lentil burgers, tofu burgers and other related icky goods, these are honestly the most delicious lentil cakes/patties/burger things I have ever tasted. I made these pretty much to the letter, but grated the carrot. Jalapenos aren't really available in my part of the world so I added a few small green chilies, chopped, and I'm also egg-free so I bound it with a few tablespoons of chickpea flour which was a delicious substitute for any fellow egg-free or vegan people out there. Because the lentils aren't mashed, some of them did fall apart a little in the pan but they were mostly okay as long as they're handled gently. Definitely something I'll be making again and again!
Jenn says
Can you make a bunch of these and freeze them?
Sues says
@Jenn I haven't tried, but these do seem like the type of recipe that would freeze pretty well. Let me know if you try it!