I've made these bad boys several times now and not only are they divine, they just scream Summer! Who would think Skinny Gwynnie could come up with a burger recipe that's so tasty? I've also added some personal flare to their tastiness in buying turkey meat with 20% fat, the meat needs to bind together to seal in the yummy pocket of cheese -- the flavor is also enhanced tenfold by the fat content. Another key flavor enhancer is cooking the burgers in butter in a cast iron skillet. And with all the new studies I've been reading lately that fat is no longer the enemy (sugar is! See the movie Fed-Up) why not fat it up?! I've also doubled the onions, rosemary and cheese called for in the recipe, I've tried it both ways and to me, more is better in this instance..Here's the recipe:
- 1 lb. turkey meat 80% lean 20% fat
- 1/2 one large sweet onion, diced
- 4 TBSP finely cut fresh rosemary
- 1 TBSP EVOO
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp cracked pepper
- 4 wheat buns (I buy TJ's honey wheat buns)
- 1 cup grated cheese -- I like Gruyere but you can also use baby Swiss
- Butter for toasting buns or cooking burgers in cast iron skillet
-- Serves 4
Heat oil in skillet on medium heat and add diced onions and rosemary. Cook for about 10 minutes until the onions sweeten. Allow to cool and transfer to large mixing bowl. Add the turkey meat, salt, pepper and then mix it all together with your tool of choice, mine being my own digits. Next, divide the mixture into four patties and then those four patties in half again. Add 3 TBSP of the grated cheese to each half of the patty and then seal the halves together again. I like to make a few days in advance so the flavors can all marinate for a bit. If you choose to do the same just wrap each patty in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to three days.
The recipe calls for either grilling or broiling the burgers but I am in love with the flavor my cast iron skillet provides to proteins. So, either grill/ broil on one side for five minutes on medium heat or heat a dash of butter in your cast iron skillet on medium and cook for about five minutes. Putting a large metal bowl on top of the skillet will prevent the meat from drying out. Flip after five minutes and cook on the other side for four more minutes (same on grill or in broiler). While you're cooking the burgers, toast up the buns in some butter in a separate pan for about five minutes. This will make those burgers even more AMAZE. Prepare a tray of your favorite fixins and let your guests build their own, enjoy!
