Leftovers, what do we do with that. Cooking for 2 or 3 is something I cannot do. In our family, we are small eaters but I still cook for an army. I can eat the same dish for another day, maybe. But then, I have a yearning to make something completely different with all the ingredients.

In my fridge, I had finely chopped sautéed mushrooms (which I usually have – I throw them in soups, in omelettes or in pasta), Indian mashed potatoes and soaked lentils and pita bread. The inspiration here was falafels. I threw the veggies and lentils together, some chopped onions and made a burger, tucked it in pita bread and dinner is ready.

These burgers are delicious, healthy and protein rich. If you have some of these leftover, which is highly doubtful, make a curry and toss them in.

Ingredients:

• 200 grams mushrooms, (button, oyster or a mix of different mushrooms) chopped
• 1 big potato, cooked and mashed
• 1/2 cup channa dal (split chickpeas) or any lentil of your choice
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1-inch piece ginger, finely chopped
• 3-4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 green chilli, finely chopped
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tbsp chopped coriander/cilantro or parsley
• 1-2 tbsp oil

Method:

• Wash and soak lentils in water for at least an hour.
• Grind coarsely in a mixer or food processor and keep aside.
• In a frying pan, heat 2 tsp oil.
• Add one chopped onions, garlic and ginger and saute till golden brown.
• Add chopped mushrooms and saute until they are cooked.
• Take off heat and cool Transfer to a bowl, add mashed potatoes, chopped chillies, rest of onions, cilantro, cumin powder, and lentils and mix.
• Shape into patties, pack the mixture tightly so it will not break.
• Place on an oiled baking tray.
• Bake in a preheated oven (350ºF / 180ºC) for 15-20 minutes
• It can also be fried in a pan. Heat some oil in a pan and pan fry them.
• Turn them halfway through.
• Serve on a burger bun or toasted pita bread.
• Top with condiments of your choice (cheese, pickles, jalapenos, goat cheese, chutney, thinly sliced tomatoes or thinly sliced cucumbers)
• This can be eaten without the bread or served as an appetizer with some chutney or sour cream.

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