What? Skinny AND Savory? You Betcha With The Bun-less Bruschetta Burger!

30 & Curvy!

I feel like I've been on a diet my whole life...a feeling I think more than a few women can sympathize with!  "Blessed" with bountiful curves, I can't remember a time I wasn't trying to slim down with one crazy diet or another.  Slim Fast, South Beach, no carbs, juicing, you name it, I've tried it.  And while I've lost a few pounds here and there, it's never a diet I can live with and stick to, because it's just unrealistic!  So, as I've entered my 30s, I'm slowly coming to accept my curves, to embrace my goods, just as they are.  And when it comes to diets, I say I'm over that word...well, sort of.  I mean, I don't think I'll ever be able to stop my quest to lose a few L-Bs, but I've tried to focus on it as more of a healthy lifestyle change, by adapting my meals and keeping up with my exercise.  After all, I may embrace the curves, but I've got to keep them streamlined! 

All that being said, I hate to nosh on tasteless treats just to keep the calories down.  I mean, I like to EAT!  I love to settle in and enjoy a good meal...which is where the Bun-less Bruschetta Burger comes in!

So. Good. Seriously.

The key ingredient: zucchini!  Kudos to skinnytaste.com for the original recipe, which I found courtesy of good ol' Pinterest (seriously, I'm addicted)!  Here's what you need:

I may have tasted more than a few spoonfuls...so delish

First, the bruschetta topping:

• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• kosher salt and pepper to taste
• 3 or 4 tomatoes (I used Roma!)
• 2 small cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, minced (it's key the basil is fresh. Trust me, it's worth it.)
• 3 oz mozzarella, diced (use skim to cut more cals)

Mix the onion, oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper in a bowl; set aside while you chop tomatoes.  Then, add the tomatoes, garlic, and basil...and more salt and pepper if you want it!  Set aside while you work up the burgers - don't worry about the cheese yet, you'll add it right before you serve!

Onto the burgers:

• 1.25 lbs. ground turkey
• 1 cup grated zucchini
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (I only had panko on hand, and it was fine!)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp. red onion, minced
• 3 or 4 basil leaves, minced (if you don't have anymore fresh basil, dried works!)
• salt & pepper
  

Basically, mash it all together.  Hands work best!  One tip, try and squeeze out alot of the zucchini juice before you add it to the mixture...you don't want it too soupy!  Once it's all mixed, form into 5 patties and sizzle them up in a pan (sprayed with cooking spray) on the stove, about 4-5 minutes on each side.

Once they're cooked, nestle one on a bed of leafy greens, maybe a few slices of tomatoes.  I added a few dashes of balsamic vinegar (I love this stuff) to the lettuce before I put the burger on...almost like it was sitting on a little salad.  Then, remember the bruschetta? Time now to stir in the cheese! Then, put a heaping scoop on top the burger, and voila!

I swear there's a burger under there...

Now, wipe your chin, where you've started drooling, and dig in!  I dare you to tell me they're not delicious.  P.S. Just 6 points for all you WW fans! Can you stand it? A whole meal for 6 points...plenty of points left for a little something sweet afterwards... ;)