Smoked Cheddar And Lentil Burgers

• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 cup dried lentils
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded smoked cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 3 large egg whites, lightly beaten
• Cooking spray
• 8 teaspoons stone-ground mustard
• 8 (2-ounce) whole wheat sandwich buns, toasted
• 8 (1/4-inch-thick) slices tomato
• 2 cups trimmed arugula

1. Place first 3 ingredients in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes or until tender; drain. Discard bay leaves. Place lentils in a large bowl; partially mash with a potato masher. Cool slightly.
2. Heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and carrot; saute 5 minutes or until tender. Cool slightly.
3. Add onion mixture, cheese, and next 8 ingredients (cheese through egg whites) to lentils; stir well to combine. Cover and chill 45 minutes. Divide mixture into 8 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty.
4. Heat a grill pan coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add half of patties, and cook 5 minutes on each side or until done. Repeat procedure with remaining patties. Spread 1 teaspoon mustard on top half of each bun. Place 1 patty on bottom half of each bun, and top each serving with 1 tomato slice, 1/4 cup arugula, and top half of bun.

water, dried lentils, bay leaves, olive oil, onion, carrot, cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, thyme, salt, garlic, paprika, freshly ground black pepper, ground red pepper, egg whites, cooking spray, stoneground mustard, whole wheat sandwich buns, tomato, arugula

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/smoked-cheddar-lentil-burgers (may not work)