1/21/12

- Hamburger Buns & Cranberry-Herb Bacon Avocado Burgers -



   
   Let me just start by telling you that I really, really, really like cheeseburgers and all of the various ways they can be eaten. And I can barely express how excited I was about having a bun for burgers again! Something that's typically lost when switching to this lifestyle is that there's no bread so you can't hold a sandwich or burger as you generally would have. One day I was bummed to have to use a fork and knife to eat a burger and thus was determined to create an adequate hamburger bun. Now, I'm not going to make these every time I eat a burger or want a sandwich, but it's so fun to have a recipe for buns when I feel like whipping some up.
These burgers taste so gourmet and are pretty easy to make. Yes, it will be more time consuming than the usual burger nights since you'll be making your own buns, but it's so worth the extra time. And you might be wondering why one would put cranberries in a burger? Because it's delicious. That's why. Well, and because I happened to have cranberries and wondered what they'd taste like with beef. Thus this wonderful concoction was born.
I will note that the buns won't be as flavorless and spongy as conventional burger buns. But that's part of the charm and character of using almond flour. I think, too, that these buns would make a great sub for english muffins in a breakfast sandwich or as the base for an open-faced turkey&pesto sandwich. They can be so versatile. I also recommend using them the same day you bake them. They will keep for a day or so, but after that'll get softer so they won't be as functional as a bun [still taste great, though].
Ok, onward to the recipes!

Hamburger Buns

• 1 c blanched almond flour
• ¼ tbsp coconut flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ⅓ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp pepper
• ⅔  tsp xanthan gum
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• ½ tbsp almond oil
• ¼ c unsweetened plain almond milk [or heavy cream]
• ½ tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds, for topping- optional

- Preheat oven to 325ยบ
- Line baking sheet with parchment.
- In small  bowl add dry ingredients and whisk to combine.
- In medium bowl beat remaining ingredients together.
- Add dry in two batches and beat until just incorporated.
- Let dough sit for a few minutes.
- Drop mounds of dough by the ¼ cup two inches apart onto parchment lined baking sheet. Smooth into about a 4” circle [or smaller if you’re making sliders].
- Bake for 17-20 minutes or until springy to touch. [Top with sesame seeds towards the end of baking.]
- Let cool completely before serving.

*Make 3 servings [6 pieces], Sorry I know that's an odd number, but it's just how the recipe worked out.

Cranberry-Herb Bacon Avocado Burgers

*Have bacon pre-cooked crispy.
*Set out sliced avocado, lettuce, onions, cheese, and tomato [or any other toppings you’d want].

• 1 lb. grass-fed ground beef
• ½ c. almond flour
• ⅓ c. fresh cranberries, finely chopped [food processor is good for this with 1 tbsp zsweet]
• ½ tsp rosemary
• ½ tsp thyme
• dash garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp bacon fat [or other oil], for cooking

- In a medium bowl combine all ingredients except bacon fat.
- Shape into 4 patties.
- Place in fridge for 5 minutes.
- Heat skillet, add bacon fat.
- Cook patties to desired doneness.

*Serve on almond flour buns with desired toppings.

**ENJOY! And come back and leave a comment- I want to know your thoughts on this.**