We first made these for a holiday party we were hosting and they quickly became a family favorite. These sliders are a perfect size for children’s little hands. They can also be served with pasta, on a sub sandwich, or even on their own with Ranch Dressing (page 125).
½ cup cooked brown lentils
1 cup cooked brown rice
¼ cup old-fashioned oats
¼ cup vital wheat gluten
½ cup tomato paste
1/8 cup Homemade Bread Crumbs (page 108)
2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
2 tablespoons olive oil or other neutral-flavor oil
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
¼ cup whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons mustard powder
2 teaspoons molasses
Sea salt to taste
18–20 slider buns of your choice
1 cup of your favorite marinara sauce
Nondairy shredded mozzarella cheese of your choice (optional garnish)
Makes 18–20 sliders.
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick foil, and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Scooping out approximately 3 tablespoons of the mixture at a time, use your hands to form it into balls.
3. Place the lentil balls on the prepared baking sheet and gently press down on the tops.
4. Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the sliders over and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until firm.
5. Remove the sliders from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Serve on your favorite mini-burger bun or roll and top with marinara sauce and shredded cheese (if using).
Fun Fact: Prior to 1985 there were four scientifically recognized basic tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. In 1985 a fifth taste was added—umami. Umami is considered to be a savory taste, and one that greatly enhances many dishes. Soy sauce (or tamari) is ideal for adding umami to recipes. Along with soy sauce, foods such as tomatoes, soybeans, sweet potatoes, carrots, kombu, and shiitake mushrooms are rich in umami flavor.
