Lentil Burgers

1. Coarsely chop garlic; sprinkle with salt and mash to a paste with the side of the knife. Coarsely chop walnuts in a food processor. Add bread, marjoram, pepper and the garlic paste; process until coarse crumbs form. Add lentils and Worcestershire; process until the mixture just comes together in a mass. Form into four 3-inch patties (about 1/3 cup each).

2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties until browned on the bottom, 2 to 4 minutes. Carefully turn over; reduce heat to medium-low. Drizzle the remaining 1 teaspoon oil around the burgers and cook until browned on the other side and heated through, 4 to 6 minutes more. Serve on buns with lettuce, tomato (or red pepper) and onion.

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 1, tightly wrap in plastic and refrigerate for up to 1 day or freeze for up to 3 months. If frozen, let defrost in the refrigerator before cooking.

Tips:
To toast nuts: Spread whole nuts on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F, stirring once, until fragrant, 7 to 9 minutes. Toast chopped, small or sliced nuts in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

To cook lentils: Place in a saucepan, cover with at least 1 inch of water, bring to a simmer and cook until just tender, 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the type of lentil. Drain and rinse with cold water. 1 cup dry lentils = about 2 1/2 cups cooked. Or use canned lentils: 15-ounce can = 1 1/2 cups. Rinse canned lentils before cooking with them to reduce the sodium by about 35%.

Note: Regular Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies and is not vegetarian. Look for vegetarian Worcestershire--flavored with molasses, soy sauce and vinegar--near other bottled sauces in natural foods stores or in the natural foods section of well-stocked supermarkets.

Storage smarts: For long-term freezer storage, wrap your food in a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil. The plastic will help prevent freezer burn while the foil will help keep off-odors from seeping into the food.