FATBURGER: TURKEYBURGER

SAVE: 151 CALORIES, 20 G FAT

Though this chapter is called “Here’s the Beef,” I had to include a turkey burger because I know so many people who prefer beef but order turkey burgers, thinking they’re eating healthfully. If you, too, are convinced that eating a turkey burger has to be better for your figure than eating a beef burger, take a look at this: Fatburger customarily serves its Turkeyburger on a whole wheat bun without any cheese. However, this innocent-looking burger has more fat than a Big Mac and only 10 calories and 1 gram of fat less than a Fatburger Fatburger (regular beef hamburger).

Uh, one beef burger, please.

3 ounces extra-lean ground (99% fat-free) turkey breast (about ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons)

2 ounces lean (7% fat) ground turkey breast (about ¼ cup)

½ teaspoon seasoned salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 whole wheat hamburger bun (about 4¼")

1 teaspoon yellow mustard

1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish

1½ tablespoons chopped white onion

4 rounds crinkle-cut dill pickle

1 slice tomato (¼" thick)

¼ cup shredded iceberg lettuce

1 tablespoon light mayonnaise

IN a small bowl, combine the extra-lean turkey and lean turkey. With hands, mix until well blended. On a sheet of waxed paper, shape the mixture into a 5" somewhat square-shaped patty. Season each side with seasoned salt and pepper.

Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until drops of water sizzle when splashed on the pan. Place the patty in the pan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until a thermometer inserted sideways in the center registers 165°F and the burger is no longer pink inside.

Meanwhile, place the bun top and bottom, cut-sides down, in the pan. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until toasted.

Place the bun bottom, toasted-side up, on a plate. Top with the burger, mustard, relish, onion, pickles, tomato, and lettuce. Spread the mayonnaise on the toasted side of the top bun. Flip onto the sandwich.

MAKES 1 SERVING

439 calories, 40 g protein, 47 g carbohydrates, 13 g fat, 2 g sat. fat, 4 g fiber

Original Fatburger Turkeyburger: 590 calories, 32 g protein, 41 g carbohydrates, 33 g fat, sat. fat (not available), fiber (not available)

EVEN BETTER If you want to save even more fat and calories, make the burger with 5 ounces of extra-lean ground turkey, omitting the 7% fat ground turkey. Although the burger is a bit drier, I actually prefer the taste. If you’re used to eating really juicy turkey burgers, you may want to stick with the recipe as it’s written. If not, definitely try this alternative burger with 15 fewer calories and 3 fewer grams of fat. It’s also more convenient because you have to purchase only one package of turkey. You may be surprised how much you love it. The extra-lean burger has 424 calories, 43 g protein, 47 g carbohydrates, 10 g fat, 1 g sat. fat, and 4 g fiber. You’ll save 166 calories and 23 g fat.