Heirloom tomatoes with salt and pepper may be healthier than french fries. Maybe.

Roasted Chile Burger

If you don’t have roasted chile stands at your disposal, just get some chile peppers and roast them over either an open flame (like a charcoal grill) or under the broiler, turning continually to make sure they blacken evenly.  You can follow the instructions from when I roasted peppers for my couscous salad for more detail.

Makes 1 burger.

Ingredients:

• 4oz ground turkey meat
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/8 tsp kosher salt
• Dash black pepper
• 1/8 tsp ground cumin
• Dash chili powder
• 1 TBL chopped roasted green chile (I like Big Jims but you can go with anaheims or something hotter if you prefer)

Accompaniments:

• 1 slice pepper jack cheese
• Sliced raw red onion
• Romaine lettuce
• 2 roasted green chiles, sliced
• Your favorite salsa
• Your bun of choice

Directions

1.) Be sure not to mix your burger until right before you plan to cook it, otherwise the salt will make your patty watery.  In a small bowl, combine the turkey meat, salt, pepper, chopped roasted chile, garlic, cumin, and chili powder.  Don’t overmix, and form into a patty.

2.) Cook your patty however you like, whether it is on a charcoal grill, pan, under the broiler, etc.  I usually pan-fry mine in a little bit of butter or olive oil on medium heat, for 8 minutes, turning halfway through.

3.) Once done, let the burger rest for 2 minutes. Place your cheese on top while it rests to let it melt, then top with more roasted chile, red onion, lettuce, and salsa.  Serve with spicy popcorn.

Spicy Popcorn

Ingredients:

• 3 cups air popped popcorn (or one of those 100 calorie bags)
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• ¼ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp chili powder
• Butter-flavored cooking spray

Directions:

1.) Pop popcorn according to directions.  Spray (while hot) with cooking spray and toss with spices.  Enjoy immediately with a refreshing beverage of your choice, possibly of the margarita variety.