Happy Father's Day!: Grilled Hamburger Salad

I've been racking my brain for ideas for a great ML Nutrition Plans approved recipe for Father's Day.  Especially this year, as it's Dave's first official Father's Day.  I wanted to surprise him with an awesome and manly dish.

For weeks I was thinking and thinking, jotting down ideas on scratch paper, but nothing had come together in a "That's It!" kind of way.  So, I went to the source.  I asked papa Dave, "What does the best Father's Day food look like to you?"  And I waited, praying he would offer the inspiration for an amazing new recipe.  He thought about it, and finally said, "A burger on the grill."  That was it, all he wanted.  I had one of those duuuuhh moments I usually get at these times and proceeded to flip my mindset away from chicken dishes and stir fries back to the classic, manly summer dish, the hamburger.

I've twisted it up, Healing Cuisine style, to make the Grilled Hamburger Salad!  It's everything but the bun!  Dad can keep it Advanced Plan easily, and still get all the great tastes of his fav summer meal.  Try it for your dad this Father's Day!

I'm serving this salad with a combo of mayo-ketchup dressing.  Mustard is also optional.  I think it would be great with my Homemade Buttermilk Ranch dressing or Healing Cuisine's BBQ Sauce as well.  Feel free to experiment!  Caramelized onions also sound really good atop if you want to stray from the classic red onion.

(By the way, the burger recipe below is my signature recipe for classic burger patties.  They'll turn out perfect every time, guaranteed!  Add in your favorite seasonings, like chili powder or cumin, as you make homemade gourmet burgers at home with different toppings!)

Hamburger Salad
Makes 4 Servings

THE BURGER PATTIES
1 lb free-range 100% grass fed ground beef
1 large egg, beaten
1/3 cup red onion, grated
1/4 cup almond meal
1 Tbsp unsweetened Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced or smashed
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

SALAD
4 grilled hamburger patties (above)
3/4 cup red onion, sliced
2-4 dill pickles, sliced (I love the Real Pickles brand)
1 large organic tomato, diced
1 avocado, diced
1 large head organic iceberg lettuce, chopped
1 large head organic romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup raw cheddar cheese, grated (optional)

DRESSING
3/4 cup Healing Cuisine Mayonnaise
3/4 cup Healing Cuisine Ketchup
Squirt of unsweetened organic mustard (optional)
Few drops of Tabasco sauce (optional)

1.)  Prepare the hamburger patties.  In a medium bowl, with your hands, mix ground beef, egg, onion, almond meal, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, sea salt and pepper until just blended.  Be careful not to over mix as it will make tough burgers.  Divide mixture into four equal portions and shape each into a patty about 4 inches wide.

2.)  Have Dad to the grilling, after all it is his day!  Preheat grill over High heat and oil with coconut oil.  Lay burgers on grill over High heat (you can hold your hand at grill level only 2 to 3 seconds).  Close lid.  For medium-well cooked burgers, cook about 7-8 minutes, turning once.  Remove from grill.  Allow patties to rest 10 minutes before cutting into or serving.

3.)  While Dad is grilling, prepare your dressing.  In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and ketchup with a fork.  Stir in the optional mustard and Tabasco.  Chill until ready to serve.

4.)  Plate the salads.  Lay out a bed of mixed lettuce.  Top with the onion, pickles, avocado and tomato.  Place 1 burger patty in the center of each salad.  Sprinkle with cheese (optional) and drizzle with Ketchup-Mayo dressing.  Serve immediately while burgers are warm.  Be sure to serve with a steak knife for easy cutting!

Now that's a Father's Day meal to remember!