Vegan İskender

Vegan İskender is a delicious plant-based twist on the traditional Turkish dish, featuring spiced lentil patties served over warm pita bread and topped with a rich tomato sauce and creamy vegan yogurt. This hearty and satisfying meal captures the essence of Turkish cuisine while being completely vegan-friendly.

Ingredients

• Red lentils - 150 grams
• Onion - 1 medium, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Carrot - 1 medium, grated
• Bread crumbs - 50 grams
• Chickpea flour - 2 tablespoons
• Cumin - 1 teaspoon
• Paprika - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Pita bread - 2 pieces
• Tomato sauce - 200 grams
• Vegan yogurt - 100 grams
• Fresh parsley - for garnish

Steps

1. Rinse the red lentils under cold water and cook them in a pot with 400 ml of water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and let cool.
2. In a frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and grated carrot, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils, sautéed onion, garlic, carrot, bread crumbs, chickpea flour, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the mixture holds together.
5. Form the mixture into 4 patties.
6. In the same frying pan, add another tablespoon of olive oil and cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy.
7. While the patties are cooking, warm the tomato sauce in a small saucepan over low heat.
8. Toast the pita bread briefly on a dry skillet or in a toaster.
9. To serve, place the toasted pita bread on a plate, top with the lentil patties, pour the warmed tomato sauce over them, and add a generous dollop of vegan yogurt.
10. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 18 g
• Carbs: 65 g
• Fiber: 15 g
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• High in plant-based protein from lentils and chickpea flour.
• Rich in fiber, promoting digestive health.

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