Whenever I prepare a recipe using lentils, I think of Lent.
No, it isn’t the Lenten season yet, but it will be here before you know it.
TheArmenianKitchen’s lentil recipe repertoire is becoming rather extensive – and- we have one more to add … Lentil-Potato Patties from Christine Datian. It’s easy, tasty, and can be made into a truly Lenten dish with a few changes which I mention below. NOTE: To easily access our lentil recipes, simply type ‘lentil’ in the search bar.
In a small pan, cook onions in butter or oil for a few minutes to soften; do not brown.
In a large bowl, combine and mash together the lentils and potatoes until smooth; add onions, carrots, butter, eggs, bread crumbs, parsley, lemon juice, spices, and nuts, if desired, and mix thoroughly.
Form mixture into patties, roll in flour, bread crumbs or cornmeal, and chill for 30 minutes until firm. Fry patties in butter or oil until lightly browned on both sides.Drain on paper towels.
NOTE: To bake instead of fry patties, roll in flour, bread crumbs or corn meal.Place patties on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 12 minutes. Carefully turn patties over and bake for an additional 12 minutes or until golden.
** Serve with sour cream, yogurt or labneh.
Garnish with a sprinkle parsley, za’atar, lemon zest, or sesame seeds, and a drizzle of olive oil.
***** Recipe changes for Lent *****
A strict Lenten diet would prohibit meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, cream, yogurt, butter).
Here are the changes you would need to make to the above recipe to make it Lent-friendly:
~ Replace 2 Tbsp. butter with 2 Tbsp. oil
~ Replace 2 eggs with about 2-3 Tbsp. unsweetened applesauce
~ Fry in oil rather than butter
~ Omit sour cream, yogurt, labneh. Replace that with a tahini dressing:
Tahini Dressing:
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup tahini, ¼ cup lemon juice, and salt to taste.
**Christine’s recipes have been published in the Fresno Bee newspaper, Sunset magazine, Cooking Light magazine, and at http://thearmeniankitchen.com/