We all need to eat more veggies to build up our immune system. Did you know that Lentils are an excellent source of B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc? They’re also a great source of plant-based protein and fiber. This Lentil and Mushroom Burger is the perfect combo to boost your immunity. Recipe is below:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Patty:

400g white button mushrooms

2 x 400g tin brown lentils, rinsed and drained

½ red onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, grated

1 Tbsp smoked paprika

¼ cup flour

¼ cup breadcrumbs

Olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Avocado salsa:

1 large ripe tomato, diced (or use a handful of colourful cherry tomatoes)

½  red onion, diced

2 small – medium sized avocados

¼ cup fresh coriander leaves

Juice of ½ lemon

Freshly ground pink peppercorns, to taste

Salt, to taste

To serve:

8 large portabello mushrooms

2 large carrots, peeled & peeled further into ribbons

2 cups mixed lettuce

Sesame seeds

Side suggestion- Sweet potato fries & mayo

Method:

For the patty:

Blitz mushrooms in a food processor until finely diced.

Add mushrooms to a hot pan with a drizzle of olive oil.

Cook out all of their water. Work in batches if necessary to not overcrowd the pan.

Scrape mushrooms into a large bowl.

Add the lentils to the dry hot pan and toast them until dry.

Add to the bowl of cooked mushrooms.

In the same pan add a fresh drizzle of olive oil and cook the onion until soft.

Add the garlic and paprika and cook for a minute until fragrant.

Add to the bowl of mushrooms and lentils.

Add the flour, breadcrumbs and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Mix everything well together. Mash some of the mixture against the side of the bowl. Keeping some of the lentils whole and some more mashed gives the patty great texture.

Divide the mixture into 4. The patties will be around 180g each.

Fry patties in a little drizzle of olive oil until golden brown on both sides.

For the salsa:

Place all ingredients in a medium bowl and lightly mash together.

Season well.

To build the burger:

Place the 8 portabellos on a wire rack on top of a baking tray.

Sprinkle with a little seasoning and roast for ± 7 minutes at 200˚C until tender.

Brush with a little BBQ sauce or any brown sauce to give them a glazed and shiny look.

Slice a little off 4 of the portobello “bottom buns” so they sit flat.

Top with a generous pile of greens and carrot ribbons.

Place a lentil and mushroom patty on each one.

Top with a generous amount of the avocado salsa and finish with the top portobello bun.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds for a burger effect and serve alongside some crunchy sweet potato fries.