Mushroom Lentil Veggie Burger

I have not eaten meat since I was 10 years old. I have been vegetarian, vegan, or some form of a non meat eating individual for more then 20 years. Needless to say, the other day I was craving a burger!!! I wanted to pour ketchup on something juicy and meaty and delicious. However , after 20 years I wasn't sure I was ready to take a bite of a real burger. Not that I am opposed to it. I am just not really sure how my body will react after all this time and I wasn't exactly willing to take that chance last night. So here is "my" version of a burger. Meatless, bunless, vegan, and gluten free.  The only thing it was full of was flavor!

Ingredients:
2 cups of cooked lentils
2 teaspoons chia seeds
3 tablespoons warm water
1 medium onion
8 ounces of mixed mushrooms, washed ( i used a mix of baby bells, shiitake, 
3 cloves garlic
2 cups cooked lentils (green or brown), well drained
1/3 cup old fashioned oats (certified gluten-free, if necessary)
1/2 cup of ground flax meal
2 tablespoons of arrowroot ( used to keep the burgers together)
1 tablespoon tamari
1/2 teaspoon dried chervil
1/4 teaspoon dried chives
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt ( to taste)
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
Generous grating black pepper

Steps 
1. Bring 1 cup of dry lentils to a boil and then allow to cook for about 20 minutes. Should yield two cups once cooked. At the same time mix the chia seeds and the warm water and set aside. The chia seeds will help keep the burger together.
2. While the lentils are cooking, chop the mushrooms in a food processor. Once they are chopped into fairly small pieces transfer to a skillet.
3. Saute mushrooms, garlic, and onions with a tablespoon of olive oil and some salt. Saute for 5 minutes.
4. Add the paprika to the mushroom mixture and sauté for 1 more minute. Then allow to cool down.
5. Once cool, add the lentils and mushroom mixture back to the food processor and pulse. Then add the oats , flax meal, arrowroot, chia seed mixture and all herbs and pulse again. 
6. Remove from food processor and make them into patties to the size of your liking. I was able to get five burgers out of mine.
7. Bake in the oven at 350 for roughly 35 to 40 minutes.

You can put them on a bun, but I chose to go bunless. I added avocado, hot sauce , and a little ketchup. YUMMY