Craving Junk Food & Fighting It... have a Better Than MacDonalds Burger

So here we are, at the back end of the 3rd week of the new year, and you can bet your life that anyone who started a healthy eating regime as of 1st January is probably struggling to resist temptation and cravings right now.

It seems fine to stick to the straight and narrow for the first couple of weeks, and it's quite pleasant to be in a new routine, eating healthy meals.  However, it can get a bit repetitive, especially if you aren't eating a good variety of foods, or making yourself tasty meals.  My cravings aren't so much for the stodge, like bread and cakes, but I do really miss the savoury 'taste fixes', provided by the likes of thick cut crisps, cheesy pastas, and the occasional KFC.

So I've been doing Slimming World since last November, and have managed to achieve my 1 stone award this week, so I don't want to give up while I'm winning.  What I am craving like mad though, is more flavour and variety.  I thought about the kind of food that can give us a real 'fix', and that so many of us seem to give in to, and I thought of MacDonalds Big Macs and Quarterpounders.

I have created a burger that is just as, if not more delicious than a Maccie D's.

Here's my recipe to create this:

Better Than MacDonalds Burgers
Free on Extra Easy

Ingredients:
500g Extra Lean Minced Beef
4 small pickled gherkins (chopped finely)
1 shallot, or small onion (chopped finely)
Salt & pepper
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp English Mustard
4 x wholemeal rolls   (HeB)
4 x low fat cheese slices (HeA)

Fries: 1kg Medium/Large potatoes

Serve with Mixed Salad of choice

Preheat oven to 220*C

Method:  
1.     Peel the potatoes, and slice into approx. 1cm thick chips.  Place in a pan of water, bring to boil and simmer for 5 minutes.  Place a couple of baking trays in the oven, spray with frylight/light oil to preheat.  Drain the water from the pan thoroughly.  With the lid on the pan, shake the potato chips gently, to 'fluff' the edges.  This helps them to bake better in the oven, with a more even browning.  Place the chips onto the baking trays and spray with a little more Frylight/light oil, and bake for 30 minutes, or until a dark golden brown and crisp.  You may need to turn the chips after 20 minutes, so check on them.

2.    Place the minced beef into a large bowl, breaking up the mince so that it is loose and free moving.  Add the chopped gherkin and onion, along with the Worcestershire sauce, mustard and seasoning, then mix well.  I found using a knife was more effective than a spoon at combining the mix, and then getting your hands in.

3.     Divide the beef mixture into 4.  Form each part into a ball, about the size of a small tennis ball, and then flatten between the palms of your hands.  It may help to place the flat burger shape on a cutting board, and press it flat with the back of a spatula, to get a firmly shaped burger.  The meat should get enough moisture from the seasoning to stick together, but if you find your meat isn't combining properly, use some beaten egg added into the mix, which will do the job.

Preheat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, then place the burgers in the pan.  Cook on each side for approx. 10 minutes each side, until the burgers are thoroughly cooked through.

While the burgers are cooking, prepare your mixed salad, and if you fancy it, make a Slimming World friendly coleslaw from cabbage, onions, carrots and low fat creme fraiche.

I like to warm my rolls, either by a 20 second blast in the microwave, or by slicing in half, and placing cut side down in the frying pan, once the burgers are removed, which gives them a crispness on one side.

Assemble the burgers in the rolls, with a slice of cheese on top, and a generous side serving of chips.  Accompanied with the mixed salad.  Delicious!

Burger, SW chips, salad, coleslaw & 1 syn for the ketchup!

Mixed Salad