Healthy Eating: Burger Wars- Turkeys to the Rescue

For those of us who seek foods and recipes that will help us cut our consumption of red meat and, in general, fat from our diets, the thought of having to give up plump, juicy beef burgers with melted cheese is almost too much to bear. In some parts of the country it's downright un-American.  You have to have juice running down the burger and cheese dribbling out the sides to know that you're in The Land of the Free and the Home of Those That Love Their Burgers.  And we haven't even gotten into Fry Country, but that's for another day.

So what's a body to do in a nation of burger lovers that worship at the temple of all things grilled and beautiful?  You look for substitutes.....and...there....aren't....a lot....out there.  Ever try a veggie burger?  How about a soy burger?  I think you're one step removed from soluable cardboard (although I have to admit I've never tried it).  But desperation can get you to that small, dark place in Substitute Land.  Surely, there must be a burger substitute somewhere that tastes good and can help you regain your American culinary pride and do so through healthy eating.

Turkeys to the rescue......that age-old American icon of family gatherings.  But turkey isn't for Thanksgiving anymore.  It's time for turkey to take its rightful place in the pantheon of great burger meals.  And I think an overweight nation where heart disease is among the top killers is ready to embrace a great substitute for healthy living and healthy eating in the form of the turkey burger.

I just had turkey burgers for dinner last night and I want to share a couple of my secrets with you for preparing them so that they are tasty and delicious.  Here are the steps I take in preparing them:

1. Use ground turkey meat.  I get meat that is 93% fat-free and retains just enough fat to keep the meat from cooking dry.  I've tried pre-formed turkey patties, but for some reason they don't taste as good.
2. Add seasonings (I like Mrs. Dash) to taste and form into patties, making sure that the meat is well mixed so it will hang together.  
3. If you like your burger more moist, I recommend you add minced onion to the meat.  This will help keep it from drying out.  You could also dice up mushrooms which will accomplish the same thing.  
4. Cook until the meat is cooked through.  Grilling adds great flavor, but stove top cooking gives great results as well.
5. If you want to add cheese, you can add at this point.  I recommend a low-fat shredded cheese or sliced Swiss Lace (also low-fat, and it tastes great).  

You will have a burger that will stand-up to any red meat burger and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are taking care of your heart.  If you have similar recipes that readers would like to hear about, please share them so that we all have more options for healthy eating.