Quesadilla Burger

Although my aim is to eat as healthy as possible, like all of us, I have my weaknesses.  I especially love CHEESEBURGERS!! And when I combine my love of cheeseburgers with Mexican favorites, it gets even better.  Here, as the start of my Cheeseburger Paradise series, is one favorite I can never have enough of: the Quesadilla Burger.  All the savory parts of a quesadilla (salsa, crispy tortilla and melted CHEEEEESSSE!!) plus the all-american, all time favorite, hamburger patty.  It's a toss up between this burger and my Nacho Burger, but whichever is your favorite, both are sure to be hits at your next BBQ or cooking for your man!

Ingredients:

1 lean beef hamburger patty (or other, turkey, vegetarian, etc.)

1 large flour tortilla

2 tbsp chunky salsa (medium or hot, depending on preference)

2 tbsp. sliced yellow onion

2 tbsp. sliced green pepper

2 tbsp. sliced red pepper

1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (as needed)

1/4 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

1/4 cup shredded (medium or sharp) cheddar cheese

1/2 tbsp. butter

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

salt & pepper to taste (optional)

Optional garnishes:

salsa

sour cream

guacamole

ketchup

1. Season your hamburger patty with red pepper flakes and salt & pepper as desired.
2. Grill patty on barbecue or pan fry to slightly under desired rareness.
3.  Remove patty from barbecue or pan and set aside.
4. In a skillet (or same one use for pan frying), add onion, green pepper and red pepper slices and oil (if needed because patty was not pan fried) over a medium heat.
5. Saute for approximately 8 minutes or until vegetables soften, meanwhile butter one side of tortilla.
6. Remove vegetables from skillet, place tortilla, butter-side down, into skillet.
7. Cut burger patty in half to make two "moons" to place on one side of the tortilla.
8. Build burger in skillet: On top of burger side add salsa, veggies, and layer with cheese (both kinds) generously, careful not to let topping spill out over the edge of the tortilla.
9. Fold tortilla over, and cook for a few minutes or until tortilla half on the bottom is a crisp, golden brown.
10. Use a large spatula to flip the over to the other side and cook until it's even to the other side with crispiness.
11. Remove from skillet.  Cut in half and serve...Enjoy!

Pizza Burger

Although my aim is to eat as healthy as possible, like all of us, I have my weaknesses.  I especially love CHEESEBURGERS!! And when I combine my love of cheeseburgers with pizza, it gets even better.  Here, as a feature to my Cheeseburger Paradise series, is a classic favorite: the Pizza Burger.  When there is a conflict over pizza or burgers, this one is a sure crowd-pleaser for everyone!!!

Ingredients:

1 lean beef hamburger patty (or other, turkey, vegetarian, etc.)

1 whole wheat bun (or other desired bun)

2 tbsp preferred pizza sauce

1 tbsp. chopped yellow onion

1/4 cup mozzarella cheese (low-skim)

4 + pepperoni slices

1/2 tsp. oregano, sweet basil, garlic powder

salt & pepper to taste (optional)

Any other preferred pizza toppings.

1. Season your hamburger patty with seasonings and salt & pepper as desired.
2. Grill patty on barbecue or pan fry to slightly under desired rareness.
3.  Remove patty from barbecue or pan and set aside.
4. Build burger: Place patty on bottom bun, add pizza sauce and chopped onion.
5. Add cheese and top with pepperoni and other additional toppings.
6. Place burger back into skillet and cover for a few minutes until cheese is melted and flavors are blended.
7. Remove from skillet.  Cut in half and serve...Enjoy!

Nacho Burger

Although my aim is to eat as healthy as possible, like all of us, I have my weaknesses. I especially love CHEESEBURGERS!! And when I combine my love of cheeseburgers with Mexican favorites, it gets even better.  Here, as a feature to my Cheeseburger Paradise series, is burger combo to one of my favorite cheat meals, Nachos; and this is the Nacho Burger.   We have the cheese, the crunchiness from the tortilla chips, the heat from the jalapenos and then the juicy meat of the patty...simply perfect!! It's a toss up between this burger and my Quesadilla Burger, but whichever is your favorite, both are sure to be hits at your next BBQ, cooking for your man or to satisfy those cheat meal cravings!

Ingredients:

1 lean beef hamburger patty (or other, turkey, vegetarian, etc.)

1 whole wheat hamburger bun (or other desired bun)

1 tbsp chunky salsa (medium or hot, depending on preference)

1-2 slices (cover patty size) pepper jack cheese

1/4 cup crispy tortilla chip strips

2 tbsp cup queso cheese dip

1 tbsp. sliced marinated jalapenos

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

salt & pepper to taste (optional)

Optional garnishes:

salsa

sour cream

guacamole

ketchup

1. Season your hamburger patty with red pepper flakes and salt & pepper as desired.
2. Grill patty on barbecue or pan fry to slightly under desired rareness.
3. Remove patty from barbecue or pan and set aside.
4. Build burger: Top burger with sliced pepper jack cheese, add salsa, and add tortilla strips ensuring they don't spill over.
5. Spoon queso cheese over tortilla strips/ burger (spill over if you like it messy!)
6. Sprinkle jalapeno slices over to desired heat, put on top bun...Enjoy!

Oozy Floozy Cheeseburger

Although my aim is to eat as healthy as possible, like all of us, I have my weaknesses.  I especially love CHEESEBURGERS!! Most of us know how tasty the traditional, albeit controversy, Juicy Lucy/ Jucy Lucy is, thanks to the show Man vs. Food.  But to put the controversy to rest, I came up with the Oozy Floozy.  You can follow this recipe to get your classic Juicy Lucy or top the "Floozy" off with your favorite burger toppings; either way, all are sure to be hits at your next BBQ, cooking for your man or to satisfy that cheat meal craving!

Ingredients:

2 lean beef hamburger patty (or other, turkey, vegetarian, etc.)

1 whole wheat bun (or other desired bun)

Slices yellow onion, tomato, and lettuce leaves

2  slices of cheddar cheese 1/4" thick, squares to fit in burger

1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp Pinot Noir wine

salt & pepper to taste (optional)

Any additional preferred burger toppings.

1. Season your hamburger patties with seasonings (for an Oozy Floozy, add Pinot Noir) and salt & pepper as desired.
2. Place cheese slices in center of patties and press the two patties around the edges as tightly as possible.
3. Grill patty on barbecue or pan fry to slightly under desired rareness.
4.  Remove patty from barbecue or pan and set aside.
5. Build burger: Place patty on bottom bun, add lettuce, onion, tomato and other condiments to top bun.
6. As is, most burgers will be on the pink side, which for rare, medium-rare lovers this is perfect, but for the complete Oozy Floozy, pop the patty in the microwave for 30-60 seconds and then build the burger with condiments and toppings.  This browns the meat completely (which I personally prefer) without burning the outside and makes the cheese extra "oozy"... Enjoy!