Knife-and-Fork Ratatouille Turkey Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant (about 1 1/2 lbs.), unpeeled
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1 1/4 lbs. gluten-free ground turkey breast
• 1 cup finely shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup chopped grape tomatoes
• 2 tbsp. no-salt-added tomato paste
• 2 small garlic cloves, grated on a rasp-style citrus zester
• 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. ground fennel seed
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
• olive oil cooking spray

Makes 4 Servings

1. Cut the eggplant crosswise into 8 slices about 1/2-inch thick, cutting from the thickest part of the eggplant because these will be your hamburger "buns." Using 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, sprinkle both sides of the eggplant slices. Set aside on paper towels to drain a bit while you make the burger mixture.
2. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, zucchini, tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, oil, fennel, thyme, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gently but thoroughly combine. With moistened hands, form the mixture into 4 patties 4 inches across. Make the outer edges of the patties a little higher than the middles (the burgers will plump up as they cook).
3. Spray a large skillet with olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Place the burgers in the skillet and cook for 4 minutes without turning. Flip the burgers, cover the pan, and cook for 4 minutes longer. Add 1/4 cup water, re-cover, and cook until the burgers are cooked through but still juicy, 3-4 minutes longer. Let stand, covered, for 2 minutes.
4. While the burgers are cooking, preheat a panini press, hinged electric grill, or large grill pan. (if not nonstick, spray very lightly with olive oil.) Working in batches (depending how big your press or grill is), cook the eggplant until nicely softened, 5-6 minutes (turning once or twice if on a grill pan).
5. Place each burger on a slice of eggplant and top with another slice of eggplant. If there are pan juices in the skillet, drizzle a little over the tops.

WW POINTS VALUE: 6 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in  the South Beach Diet Gluten Solutions Cookbook.  Who knew that a classic French dish could be made into a delicious gluten-free burger?! This burger is filled with vegetables and flavor and a great way to kick-start your healthy lifestyle. Remember when you grilled burgers and the buns and you used to put lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard on your burger? You will not miss any of those toppings or condiments when you take a bite out of these elegant burgers. You can even grill these elegant burgers on your outdoor grill land they will be delicious. Grilled eggplant is a great substitute for grilled buns and a great way to add more vegetables to your diet. The herbs add a nice touch of flavor to the burgers as does tomato paste. The tomato paste is also a better substitute for ketchup. One bite of this elegant juicy burger and you'll be saying au revoir to fast food.