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Special Diet Information

Coumadin® (Warfarin)
This recipe is safe for Coumadin (warfarin) users.

Lactose
This recipe contains cheese and some of those who are lactose intolerant may be able to tolerate it.

Sodium
This is a low sodium recipe.

GERD / Acid Reflux
This recipe contains GERD triggers and those with GERD may wish to avoid it.

Gluten Sensitivity
This recipe is safe for those who are sensitive to gluten. Use gluten-free hamburger buns in this dish. Check for flour or modified food starch in pre-shredded cheese.

 

"If the melting pot exists, the cheeseburger may well be its most palpable product; to take a bite of it is to take a bite of history..." -Elizabeth Rozin, Cookbook author

The refrigerator light goes on...

I was a bit tripped up by this recipe. When I made the burgers the first time, they were on the salty side. While I am more sensitive to sodium content than some people, it seemed odd because I hadn't added that much salt. I chalked it up to the provolone cheese. I had picked it up in a hurry and it was a Kraft® product that had more salt than the cheese I usually purchase.

I didn't like the texture of the provolone anyway, and switched to mozzarella (which is great), but there was still the saltiness. That's when my wife checked the can of Creole spice I was using. Tony Chachere's is a popular brand in New Orleans, and I had used their Salt Free Seasoning before, but only in stews and such.

A look at the can showed that it used potassium as a salt substitute. Checking my other brands in the house, including Paul Prudhomme, McCormick, and Spice Hunter showed that they were salt and potassium free: just spice.

The third time using the McCormick was the charm, with a great burger that's not too salty.

It just goes to show, however, just how important reading food labels can be. Even with more than three decades of obsessing over Nutrition Facts and ingredient lists on packages I was tripped up.


 

Cajun Cheeseburger

Servings: 2 | Serving size: one cheeseburger

Cooking Time: 30 Minutes

This recipe can easily be multiplied.

Serve with Parmesan Squash or Pan Grilled Broccoli or Pan Grilled Asparagus or Cole Slaw or Parsnip French Fries.

Cajun Cheeseburger recipe from Dr. Gourmet

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 small onion (finely diced)
  • 1/2 small green bell pepper (finely diced)
  • 2 tsp. no salt added Cajun / Creole spice blend
  • 2 Tbsp. water
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • to taste fresh ground black pepper
  • 6 ounces 95% lean ground beef
  • 1 ounce part skim milk mozzarella cheese (thinly sliced)
  • 2 whole wheat or gluten free hamburger buns

Place the olive oil in a small skillet over medium high heat.

Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes. Stir frequently.

Add the green pepper and cook for 3 minutes. Stir frequently.

Add the Creole spice blend and cook for 1 minute. Stir frequently.

Add the water and cook for about 1 minute until the water evaporate. Stir frequently.

Remove the onion and green pepper mixture to a mixing bowl and chill well.

When the onions and peppers are cold, place the ground beef in the mixing bowl and add the salt and pepper.

Using a fork, blend in the seasonings well.

Divide the ground beef in half and pat into two patties.

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Place a medium sized skillet in the oven.

When the oven is hot add the burgers to the pan.

Cook for about 5 minutes on one side and turn.

Top each with half of the sliced cheese and cook for about another 5 minutes.

Serve on the hamburger bun.

Top with lettuce, tomato and onion as desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: one cheeseburger

Servings: 2

Amount Per Serving

Calories 340 Calories from Fat 108
  % Daily Value
Total Fat 12g 16%
  Saturated Fat 5g 26%
  Monounsaturated Fat 3.5g
    Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 65mg 21%
Sodium 540mg 23%
Total Carbohydrates 26g 9%
    Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
    Sugars 4g
Protein 24g
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 19%
Calcium 9% Iron 20%
Vitamin K 3mcg Potassium 400mg