I needed to find a recipe to use up the last of my winter-stored beets. I needed a recipe that was inspiring because sometimes cooking can become ho hum and boring. It takes a bit of time going through some cookbooks and magazines (I don’t do Facebook) but I found one that I will file away to be used again.
Golden Raisin and Purple Beets
To make it vegetarian switch the egg to flax seed (recipe at the bottom of the page). Cook the rice ahead of time and either put it in the fridge for 2 days or freeze it. The same for the lentils. I used sunflower and pumpkin seeds instead of the walnuts.
PATTIES:
3 Tbsp grape seed oil or coconut oil
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup raw beets, grated
2 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 cup cooked green lentils
1 egg
2 cups cooked short-grain brown rice
FETA SPREAD:
8 oz feta cheese
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
Squeeze of lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Fresh ground pepper
1. Combine the feta spread ingredients in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
2. Heat oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Add the onions and cook for about 10 minutes, until golden.
3. Add walnuts, raisins, beets, garlic, and paprika and cook for 10 minutes stirring often. Let it cool. Transfer to a food processor and pulse until chunky. Then place mix in a large bowl and stir in the salt, pepper, and half the lentils.
4. Place the other half of the lentils, egg, and rice in the food processor and pulse to make a coarse puree. Add this to the beet mixture and mix well.
5. Use oiled hands to form patties, depending on the size you can make 8-10 small or 4-5 big ones, 1” thick.
6. Place the patties in a heated, oiled skillet over medium heat. Cook each side until golden brown about 15 minutes.
7. Serve warm with feta spread and sliced cucumber, greens, or tomato.
**Flax seed egg. To replace one egg, take 1 Tbsp ground flax seed with 3 Tbsp water. Let it sit for 15 minutes then use.
***Mix should have chunks of ingredients. Texture and moisture level of mix should be similar to meat for a regular burger. If it’s too wet add some bread crumbs, flax meal or a bit of coconut flour.
