Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Better Burger with Green Olives




There are some people out there who would argue that you shouldn't mess with a good burger. My Daddy-O is certainly of that school of Burger Philosophy.

But me? I kinda like to mess around, shake things up, tinker.

I saw this recipe for Better Burger with Green Olives in Ellie Krieger's cookbook, So Easy and was intrigued.

Green olives? In a burger? With cumin, a spice I usually only use when cooking Mexican or Indian food? Huh.

Well, really, why not?

I went to the store for green olives and discovered something even better. Green olives stuffed with jalapenos! We like our food racy at Chez T., so I threw those bad boys in the cart.

I formed the meat mixture into patties and learned one little tip: Although most cooks advise against packing the meat firmly into patties, if you make this recipe, you should pat them together fairly well. Otherwise, they can fall apart. Which is a burger bummer.

Better Burger with Green Olives
from Ellie Krieger's So Easy
serves 4


1 pound lean ground beef (at least 90% lean)--I used 92% lean
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pitted green olives*
2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cooking spray
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns (I used English muffins, toasted)
4 slices beefsteak tomato
4 green lettuce leaves
1/4 red onion, sliced
ketchup, to taste

Combine the beef, olive, parsley, cumin and pepper in a mixing bowl and mix until well incorporated. Shape into 4 burgers.

Spray a non-stick grill pan with cooking spray and preheat over medium-high heat. Cook the burgers for 4 minutes per side for medium, turning once. Serve with condiments.

* I didn't coarsely chop mine--I whizzed them in the food processor. Thus, my husband, who doesn't much like green olives, didn't know they were in there. ~evil cackle~

Verdict: YUM! Honestly, you couldn't really taste the olives. Whether that was due to the jalapeno kick, I'm not sure. The cumin added a wonderful, toasty, smoky flavor. Cumin is awesome in burgers--who knew? Hubs and Awesome Stepkid and I all gave these burgers a thumbs-up.

The best thing? A Better Burger weighs in at about 300 calories. Which would you rather eat? A mouthwatering, fresh burger or an insipid Lean Cuisine (which I am always mad at myself for buying/eating)?

I'll need a few Better Burgers in the next few days, because the family leaves for Hawaii on Friday, for a Spring Break that's sure to be packed with hi-jinks and hilarity. Taking a nod from my friend Kristen , I'm going to try to un-plug for a lot of the trip and focus on my wolf pack.

But please pop in on Friday, when I'm hosting Nicki for Neighbor Friday!



Nicki will take great care of you guys while busy I'm trying to pacify Minxes on a Plane.



If I don't come around much to comment on my favorite blogs or check in here, forgive me. Balance isn't something I do well; I'm trying to err on the side of family this next week! I love you guys!

50 comments:

  1. Wait, I'm sorry, HAWAII? Your spring break is waaaaaaay better than mine. Sure visiting the folks in Jersey is all fine, but no even slightly Hawaii.

    Sorry, I got side-tracked by the comment I initially planned to leave, which was that I celebrate any burger that doesn't taste like ground beef, so I've book-marked it for later.

    Later...while you're basking in Hawaii and I'm fully-dressed (with a coat) while dragging my kids along the cold-ass Jersey shore.

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  2. Yum! I love green olives and jalapenos and burgers. You just can't go wrong.

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  3. Hiss. Hawaii. How I miss my Shangri-La in Kauai. You so better NOT be blogging. Enjoy the Chi-Chi's and Mai Tai's. I grilled burgers last night. Ellie would probably faint at my version. I love burgers. Go! Pack!

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  4. I'm sorry, other than various seasonings, no one should mess with burgers. Sigh. And then you have me so jealous over Hawaii. Have fun!

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  5. How I hear you on the balance thing right now! Have a terrific time on your trip.

    PS: Racy food. Heh heh heh, love it.

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  6. Yum, spicy burger. Of course, I don't cook, but I enjoy slobbering over the pictures, TKW!

    Have fun in Hawaii, you #%@$%! Too bad you can't go to glamorous Tucson, like I am! Why is Spring Break during Passover? (Oh, yeah, it's Easter too...)

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  7. I've done olives with burger before and love it. I've also done prawns with burger before, and I loved it, but it's not something I'm proud of...

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  8. So your family is so out there with those "racy" Green olives stuffed with jalapenos! Where my family lives I always have to get an olive burger when I visit! Many places in West Michigan serve them that way. Maybe it's a Dutch thing. I don't know we just always liked them with green olives, but on top with mayo! I need to buy some of those Green olives stuffed with jalapenos!

    Have a great time in Hawaii! I can't wait to hear all about it!

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  9. Olives stuffed with Jalepenos make my mouth water.........mmmmmmmmmmm

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  10. You better bring us back a kickass recipe for something with papayas!!!

    Green olives with jalapenos... holy icky mouth of maud. I'll have what Fae's having... a burger.

    Safe trip, jc

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  11. That sounds delish. As do the olives. I "hated" olives for years and finally tried them and realized what I'd been missing. Salty, what's not to love. And with jalapenos? Sign me up.
    Ditto on the Lean Cuisines.
    Have a great trip!
    xo

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  12. Yum :)
    I love love love green olives stuffed w/ jalapeños! They are one of my favorite little treat snacks (or crack snacks, if that's what you call them ;) )

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  13. Smooches to you and your wolf pack, Magoo. I vow to actually cook one of your delish recipes whilst you are fairing fine in Hawaii.

    And don't worry. I'll record all of my posts while you are gone and leave them on your answering machine for when you return. Lucky you.

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  14. Those sound delish. I'm thinking I've found the next can't-miss addition to our veggie burgers. (And thanks for the tricky tip on pulverizing the olives - anti-olive hubby over here as well.)

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  15. Sounds wonderful. So incredibly jealous of Hawaii. I guess that can cure Spring snow...Have a safe trip and I will pray for obedience from your children while you are gone so that you can actually ENJOY your trip!

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  16. "Burger Bummer" you have such a gift for words! These sound great. I've been known to puree things to "hide" them from my picky eater father now and then too.

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  17. I love olives so much, I'd practically eat them in anything. Bring on the olive burgers!

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  18. Looks super good! Jalapeno stuffed olives have always been reserved for martinis at my house, but I think burgers would work too.

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  19. Can't do olives. Blech. Shudder. (But cumin and jalapenos? I could definitely give those a try in my burger.) Also, can't for your return from the land of pineapples and macadamia nuts and all the delicious recipes the trip will inspire! Safe travels.

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  20. Good for you; unplug and enjoy!
    And that burger sounds really good!

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  21. A "burger bummer?" HAHAHAHAH!!!

    Have an AWESOME trip!!

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  22. Oh yeah! I love to tinker too. Love the green olive in a burger idea! Gonna try it.

    Have a good time. Can I sneak along in your suitcase?

    The Ritalin ad is a hoot!

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  23. I'll buy you all the olives you want if you take me with you to Hawaii......

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  24. Bill feels the same about olives...I might just get away with them if I found some stuffed. In the mean time, I may just use that jar of jalepenos that has been sitting in the fridge, neglected.

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  25. i'm pretty much all aboard the ellie krieger train, so i would've have faith in this recipe even if you hadn't tried it for me. three cheers for tinkering in the kitchen! (and three boos for any burger bummers!)

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  26. These sound delish! As for cumin...this is my secret ingredient when working with any mince meat dish...especially lamb mince meat...it really brings out the flavours of the meat...works wonders with spag bol too! xxx

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  27. YUMMY! I can see making this with ground chicken, turkey or buffalo. Yup, I said buffalo - really expensive so only bought once a twice a grilling season.

    Have a great time in Hawaii!

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  28. Looks great to me. Dumb Dad would call it poison. Anything with olives and/or mushrooms is banned from our home thanks to the fact that he's convinced it could kill him. He's a big DUMB baby like that!

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  29. Tommy's famous cheeseburger is made with green olives as well and I swear it's the best flavor combination ever!!! Have a great time in Hawaii!

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  30. You're sure you can't taste the olives? I like them, but Himself would balk. Oh well, I can blame it on you. ("She SWORE you wouldn't taste the olives!")

    How exciting that you're going to have a dose of sunshine and ocean breezes. You deserve it! Have a grand time!

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  31. Enjoy the trip hon. Hawaii sounds so much better than South of the Border where I'll be stopping on my drive to Florida.

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  32. Witch, you have me laughing again! Man, I love your witty, irreverent style.

    Three things:
    1. Hawaii?! Holy crap. That definitely deserves unplugging. Enjoy yourself - and maybe bring back some Spam and pineapple recipes for us?
    2. LOVE using the food processor to pulverize ingredients so fine you trick your kids (or husband) into eating them. Brilliant and deceptive!
    3. Is there really anything better than burgers? We rolled the grill out last week after a long winter in the garage. And our first grilled burger of the year was heavenly. Heavenly!

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  33. Hawaii??? Yes. I am jealous. But because you're so awesome and wonderful, you deserve it!

    SUPER BON VOYAGE...have a blast, sweets!

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  34. I love green olives. And where I grew up there was a restaurant that had a "green olive mayo" that they put on their burgers that I've since tried to recreate. But I never thought about putting them IN my burger. And speaking of "IN" is there any room "IN"side your suitcase? I don't take up very much room and I've never been to Hawaii. So jealous! I'll miss you! Hope you find rest, relaxation and lots of fun recipes to try when you get home!

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  35. They look delicious!
    Love a stuffed green olive with jalapenos any day or night.
    Have a fabulous vacation with the family and I look forward to hearing all about your adventures when you return- ciao bella

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  36. Huh, interesting! My husband loves hamburgers AND green olives, this might be an idea he'd be into! They look fantastic!

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  37. I'm digging your Burger Philosophy and I hope to get my act together one day to make these racy better burgers. I wholly applaud your decision to un-plug this week and enjoy your wonderful wolf pack!

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  38. Hawaii?!?!?! I am soo jealous right now. Hope you have a great time and enjoy the sun and your family. Post some pics when you return. Here's also hoping you survive that long a@# plane ride with the two little ones! Wine. Lot of wine.

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  39. JEALOUS!!! Im totally jealous! My husbands best friend live on Kauai..and we could stay for free. But nooooo..his lame ass wont fly.
    I suppose I have to go by myself..or maybe I can be a tag along on your trip!!! lol

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  40. I am ALL about messing with a burger to make a better burger so thanks for this! YUM!
    Have an amazing trip! I'm beyond jealous... never been to Hawaii and have always wanted to. Enjoy EVERY second!

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  41. I don't like olives so I'd have to pass on them.

    I am jealous that you're going to Hawaii! Have fun!

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  42. You've totally turned the tables on me, TKW! I am completely jealous over your trip to gorgeous Hawaii. Have a FABULOUS time!!

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  43. You're making me hungry for lunch at 10 in the morning!!! SO not fair! (And do enjoy your unplug time. We all need that. And you sooooo deserve a break!!)

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  44. Have a super vacation! I LOVE Hawaii! It's a hike to get there, but well worth it! Can't wait to get all the skinny on your trip!

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  45. These look awesome! I just bought a bunch of green loves stiffed with garlic... I'm thinking that garlic, olives and cumin can't possibly be a bad combo, so I might have to give it a shot. Especially now that we have woken up the grill from its winter slumber.

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  46. Have a great time in Hawaii. I remember taking my eldest to Hawaii when he was only 1. We are off next week to tour colleges.

    Blink of the eye.

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  47. SOOOOO jealous of your Hawaii trip! Have a great time, Kitch!

    As for the burgers, have you ever had blue cheese stuffed olives? I bet those would be FAB in a burger! I might try it...

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  48. I have never used olives in my burger but I always use cumin with a little coriander and feta cheese mixed in. Have a great trip.

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  49. MOTH will be so excited to see this recipe, as both he and the Tankbaby love green olives. Meanwhile, this week we had your Chicken Parmesan Burgers and (again) your Mediterranean Orzo Salad (we made it with shrimp this time--yum).

    Have a great time in Hawaii, and please forgive me if I keep mumbling to myself, "Minxes on a mother-effing plane!"

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  50. Have fun in Hawaii...so jealous!!!

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