Sweet and Smoky Beet Burgers

Ingredients

• 1
  
  yellow onion
  
• 3
  
  tablespoons grapeseed oil, plus extra for searing
  
• 1
  
  cup peeled and grated raw beets (approximately 1 small beet)
  
• 3
  
  cloves garlic, crushed
  
• 1
  
  cup walnuts
  
• 1/2
  
  cup golden raisins
  
• 2
  
  teaspoons sweet smoked paprika
  
• 1/2
  
  cup cooked green lentils, rinsed and drained
  
• 
  
  Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
  
• 2
  
  cups cooked short-grain brown rice or white sushi rice, at room temperature
  
• 1
  
  egg
  

Directions

1. Slice the onion to a thickness of 1/4 inch. In a medium skillet, sauté the onion in the oil over medium-high heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until it starts to darken and caramelize. Turn down the heat slightly and add the beets along with the garlic, walnuts, raisins, and paprika, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring often.
2. Transfer the contents of the skillet to a food processor and pulse several times until chunky. In a large bowl, combine the onion mixture with the lentils, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Replace the food processor without washing and add the rice and egg, and pulse to form a coarse puree. Add the rice mixture to the onion-lentil mixture and mix well with your hands.
3. Lightly oil your hands and divide the dough into 8 portions. Shape each portion into a patty just under 1 inch thick.
4. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat and add oil to coat the bottom. Place the burgers in the skillet and cook undisturbed for 5 minutes. Gently flip the burgers and turn down the heat to low. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, until the burgers have a firm, brown crust. Serve hot with your favorite condiments.