Zucchini Lentil Burgers

Hi again!! It's been a very busy couple of weeks, but don't worry, I have a couple of recipes coming at you soon. Today's inspiration came from my stomach. You know how you're never supposed to go to the grocery store hungry?? I went when I was starving. But luckily, I have been watching a ton of food documentaries lately, so I was able to resist temptation and only buy good food. I just bought a ton of it and couldn't stop thinking about what I was going to make when I got home. I'm trying to really clean up my diet and crack down on the gym (so far 0 for 2), so this is a super healthy, delicious meal that was actually pretty easy to make. So without further ado...

Zucchini Lentil Burgers
1/2 cup dry green lentils
1 1/2 cups water
1 zucchini, shredded
2 cups frozen spinach
1/4 cup oatmeal
3 tbsp flax seeds
1/4 tsp each salt and black pepper
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils, the water, and the spices. Bring to a boil and then turn it down to a simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the frozen spinach and then simmer for another 5 minutes. The lentils should be tender and the water should mostly have evaporated now, but if not keep simmering until they are. In a food processor or blender, combine the oatmeal and flax seeds until they are a fine powder. Set aside. Then blend the lentil and spinach mixture. It doesn't have to be super smooth. I just pulsed mine a few times. This will look repulsive. I'm warning you now. Lentils are not pretty when they're blended, but get past it because it tastes delicious. Combine with the oatmeal mixture and the shredded zucchini. If you have any other veggies you want to sneak in there, feel free. I was thinking about adding carrots, but I didn't want the recipe to be too busy. Form into patties while you heat a pan over high heat. Spray your pan with some cooking spray or really lightly oil it so the burgers don't stick. I made my burgers about 4 inches wide and it made 8 patties, but make them whatever size you'd like. Cook in the pan for about 4 minutes on each side until they are lightly browned. Serve with one or both of the sauces below!

Mango Apple Chutney
1 ripe mango, diced
1 green apple, diced
1/4 small onion, diced
1/4 jalapeño, diced, seeds and ribs removed
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
juice of 1/2 lime
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp water

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer over medium heat for about 15 minutes, or until the apple and onion are tender. You can use two mangoes instead of one mango and an apple, but I only had one, so I improvised. It worked out pretty well. If you don't like cilantro (then you're weird), you can substitute fresh mint.

Mint Yogurt Sauce
1 small container of Greek yogurt (pretty sure it was 8 oz. but not sure. It was the single serving one, whichever size that it)
2 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
salt and pepper to taste

Mix up all the ingredients and top your burger with it. Bam. That easy.

I used both sauces, because that's how I am, but it was delicious with either one alone.

Hope you like it!!!