Meat Loaf Burgers with Sautéed Carrots

Here’s a kid-pleasing meal: Meat loaf patties on a hamburger bun with sautéed baby carrots on the side.

PREP: 15 minutes      GRILL: 10 to 12 minutes

MAKES: 4 main-dish servings

½ cup water

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1 bag (16 ounces) baby carrots

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon brown sugar

¼ cup ketchup

1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard

1¼ pounds lean (90%) ground beef

1 stalk celery

½ small onion, finely chopped

¼ cup plain dried bread crumbs

1 clove garlic, crushed with press

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

4 potato rolls, split and toasted

4 lettuce leaves

1. In 12-inch skillet, heat water and butter over medium heat until simmering. Add carrots, ¼ teaspoon salt, and pepper; cook, covered, 10 minutes or until carrots are tender. Uncover; stir in sugar and cook 3 minutes or until carrots are coated and liquid evaporates. Remove from heat; cover and keep warm.

2. Meanwhile, lightly spray ridged grill pan with nonstick cooking spray, then heat over medium until hot.

3. In cup, combine ketchup and mustard. In large bowl, mix 1 tablespoon ketchup mixture with beef, celery, onion, bread crumbs, garlic, Worcestershire, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt until blended; do not overmix. Shape beef mixture into four -inch-thick burgers, handling meat as gently as possible for best texture.

4. Place burgers in hot grill pan; cook 10 to 12 minutes for medium or to desired doneness, turning burgers over once halfway through cooking.

5. Serve burgers on rolls with lettuce and remaining ketchup mixture. Serve carrots on the side.

EACH SERVING: About 505 calories, 36g protein, 52g carbohydrate, 18g total fat (5g saturated), 87mg cholesterol, 975mg sodium