A burger can be classic comfort food on game day, but red meat can increase the risk of heart disease. Dietician Dave Grotto, author of The Best Things You Can Eat and a spokesperson for the Mushroom Council, cuts saturated fat and extra calories out of the patty by using crimini mushrooms and leaner meats such as ground beef or turkey.
Recipe: Spicy Shroom Mini Sliders
Yield: 8 burgers
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 1/2cups crimini or baby bella mushrooms, sliced
1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup whole grain bread crumbs
8 mini whole grain buns
Heat oil and sauté onion over medium heat until lightly browned. Add mushrooms and stir to mix. Sauté until mushrooms are fully cooked and most liquid has evaporated. Set aside to cool. In a medium mixing bowl combine beef (or turkey), hot sauce, black and white pepper and salt. Process mushroom mix in a food processor until coarsely chopped, and then add to beef (or turkey) mixture. Add bread crumbs and gently mix until bread crumbs are incorporated. Refrigerate mix for half an hour until chilled, and then form into eight equal patties. Lightly spray a stove top grill pan or frying pan with vegetable oil and fry burgers until done, turning once. Place on whole grain buns, garnish and serve.