Tomato Basil Lentil Soup

This is a delicious, filling amazing soup that is full of flavor and great for you too! My daughter and hubby each had a serving, and then I ate the remainder over the next several days. I actually can't wait to make more!

2 1/2 cups vegetable broth or water
1/2 c red lentils (if using brown, just cook longer til soft)
2-3 crushed and diced garlic cloves
3 shallots or 1/2 a large onion
1 can tomatoes
2 Tbsp. fresh or 1 1/2 tbs. dried basil
1 Tbsp. olive oil

Saute onion in olive oil over med. heat 5 min., then add in garlic. Cook til onions are softened, then add in remaining ingredients. Cook until lentils are done (20 for red, 35-40 for brown). Transfer to a blender and puree til smooth. Garnish with fresh chiffonade or dried sprinkles of basil and a dallop of cream cheese or sour cream if desired. Serve with toasted garlic bread. SOOOOOOO good! I enjoyed my soup with some olive oil roasted cauliflower and broccoli. The broccoli got a bit too done, but the cauliflower was delicious!

Lentil Sunflower Seed Burgers

I'm always interested in a new burger recipe. I love a good vegetarian burger! I haven't tried this, but it looks pretty tasty. This is from the Moosewood Cookbook. I borrowed this book from a friend and wanted to post the recipes I was interested in before returning it... It was a good enough book that I should try to find one online for myself!

¾ cup dry lentils
1 ½ cups water
2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup finely minced onion
4 –5 large cloves of garlic, minced
10 large mushrooms, minced
½ cup very finely ground raw sunflower seeds
1 ½ tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Dry mustard
½ cup roughly ground crisp rice cereal or breadcrumbs

Place lentils and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, for about 30 minutes or until the lentils are soft and the liquid is gone. Transfer to a medium-sized bowl, add vinegar and mash well.

Heat oil in a medium-sized skillet. Add onions and sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients exempt crisp rice or breadcrumbs, and sauté 5-10 minutes or until all the vegetables are tender. Add the sauté and crumb mixture to the lentils and mix well. Chill for 1 hour before forming into patties.

Form 4-inch diameter burgers. Fry in a small amount of oil over medium high heat on both sides until heated through and crispy on the outside. Place in oven heated to 350 degrees for 8 minutes to help set the middle.