If your beans, lentils, and oatmeal aren't already cooked, the first step is to cook them! To prepare the adzuki beans, soak the dried beans in water for 1-2 hours. Then, drain the beans and bring them to a boil (with plenty of fresh water – about 6-8 cups) over high heat. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and partially cover, allowing some steam to escape. The beans should be soft in about an hour. Keep an eye on it – if they absorb all the water and remain hard, add a little more water. If they are soft and some water remains, drain it off. Once cooked, remove from heat and set aside.
Cook oatmeal and lentils as well. For the oatmeal, use 1/2 cup rolled oats for one cup of cooked oatmeal: Bring 1 cup water and a pinch of salt (if desired) to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in 1/2 cup oats and reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes.
Cooking time for the lentils will depend on the variety. For brown lentils, bring 1/2 cup dry lentils to a boil in about 1 1/2 cups of water. Reduce heat and allow to simmer, uncovered, for about 20 minutes.
Mix the cooked oatmeal & lentils together; set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Add carrots and onion to food processor. Pulse until just diced.
Add cooked adzuki beans to the carrots and onion. Pulse until it forms a hummus-like texture.
Add cooked lentil and oatmeal mixture to adzuki bean mixture; pulse until well combined.
Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl; add raw oats, lemon juice, salt and garlic powder into the bean mixture. Mix with hands until well combined.
Using about 1/2 cup of the mixture at a time, use your hands to form patties (makes about 14 patties). Feel free to adjust the portion for you – just make sure the shape of the patty is uniform enough to cook evenly.
Preheat large sauté pan to medium heat. Working in batches, sear bean burgers in olive oil (sear on both sides for 1-2 minutes each). After the sear, place the patties on a large baking sheet.
Finish cooking burgers in the oven for roughly 5-7 minutes, or until heated through.
Enjoy with your favorite burger fixings!