Sunnys Easy On Your Body And Lean Jalapeno Burger Recipes

SUNNY'S BREAKIN'-THE-FAST BURGER

Steps:

• For the rolls: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Scoop a bit of bread out of each roll top to create a well, discarding the scooped bread. Brush the insides, top and bottom, with the melted butter. Close the rolls and wrap individually or together in aluminum foil, then place directly on the oven rack to warm while preparing the burgers, no longer than 20 minutes.
• For the burgers: Add the ground chuck, bacon, paprika, salt and a few grinds of pepper to a large bowl. Gently mix with your non-dominant hand, using your fingers like a pitchfork so you don't squish the meat. Mound the mixture into a ball and divide in half, then divide each half in half again to make 4 even portions.
• Add a drizzle of olive oil to a griddle pan over high heat. Gently roll each portion of meat into a ball and place on the pan. Using the back of a plate, a flat lid or a spatula (with no holes), press each ball into a flat patty, slightly larger than the rolls. Cook the patties until they easily release from the griddle, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, then top each with a slice of cheese and continue to cook until the patties are cooked through and the cheese is melted, another 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the jalapeño to the griddle and char on all sides, then remove and finely chop, removing the seeds if you would like less heat.
• Build the burgers: Whisk the hot sauce and maple syrup together in a small bowl. Remove the rolls from the oven and unwrap. Put a patty on each roll, then drizzle each with the maple hot sauce. Top each with some jalapeño followed by a fried egg and more hot sauce as desired.

SUNNY'S SIZZLING SUMMER BURGER

Steps:

• Place the patties on a tray in one layer. Mix the salt, pepper, cumin, garlic and onion powders and paprika in a small bowl. Sprinkle on both sides of the patties and rest at room temperature for 2 hours.
• Heat a grill to medium-high heat.
• Add the patties to the grill and cook to desired doneness, flipping once.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the cheese sauce and sriracha seasoning in a small saucepot. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until fully combined and hot.
• Lay down some lettuce leaves on the bottom buns, then top with the patties, onion slices, fried jalapenos and finally the cheese sauce. Top with the top buns and serve.

SUNNY'S SMOKEHOUSE BURGER

Steps:

• Roast the mushrooms: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil.
• In a large bowl, add the mushrooms, a generous drizzle of oil, Italian seasoning, paprika and red chile flakes and toss to coat. Spread the mushrooms out on the lined baking sheet. Bake until they shrink a bit and the moisture looks mostly wicked away, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove and lightly season with salt. Allow to cool a bit on the sheet, then transfer to a bowl.
• Make the patties: In a large bowl, add the beef in chunks and sprinkle with the salt and plenty of pepper. With your less dominant hand, fold and mix the burger with your fingers stretched open like a pitchfork. Mix until just combined. Divide into 4 equal parts and make a ball out of each. Flatten to a size just a bit wider in circumference than your buns.
• Fit a baking sheet with a rack and set aside. In a cast-iron pan or griddle on medium heat, add a bit of oil, then the patties. Cook, flipping once, until desired doneness, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to the baking sheet and top each with two slices of cheese. Tent with aluminum foil or cover with an upside-down metal baking dish for about 5 minutes.
• Make the onion rings: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Pour 2 inches of peanut oil in a tall pot and heat on medium-high heat until the temperature registers 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Fit a baking sheet with a rack and set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of the flour, the smoked paprika and a nice pinch of salt. Whisk in the beer until the mixture resembles a thick pancake batter. Drink the remaining beer. In a separate bowl, add and separate the rings of onion, then dust them with the remaining 1/2 cup flour, tossing with your hands to ensure that they are all coated.
• Working in small batches so as to not overcrowd the pot, dunk the flour-coated onions into the batter, then directly into the oil. Fry until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the onion rings to the wire rack and keep warm in the oven. Continue to fry the onion rings, allowing the oil to return to 350 degrees F before adding more.
• Assemble burgers: Place a patty on each bun bottom, then add some mushrooms, 2 to 3 onion rings and drizzle of your favorite barbecue sauce. Top with the bun tops.

SUNNY SIDE UP BURGER

Steps:

• In a large bowl gently combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke. Divide ground burger mixture into 4 equal segments and form them into thick patties. Refrigerate on a plate for 1 hour, then remove to and allow to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes before cooking.
• In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, mayonnaise and lemon juice and salt, to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Warm a grill pan over high heat. Lightly brush the top of each burger with vegetable oil, then arrange on the grill, oiled side down. Sear until the burgers release easily from the grill and are brown, about 5 minutes. Brush with a bit more vegetable oil, flip and cook until the center slightly springs back, indicating a medium-rare center, another 5 minutes. While the burgers are finishing, brush both sides of the bread lightly with olive oil then put on the grill and cook until toasted, about 1 minute, then flip and toast the other side. Transfer 1 slice to each serving plate and spread with the garlic spread. Top each slice with a burger and while they are resting make the eggs to top each burger. In a small pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over low heat, crack an egg in the center, cover and cook until the white is set and the yolk is still runny, about 5 minutes. Slide the egg on top of the of the burger, season with a bit of salt and pepper, then finish with a few shakes of hot sauce. Repeat with the remaining butter and eggs and serve.

SUNNY SIDE BURGER WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Salsa Verde:
• Heat broiler. Toss tomatillos, onion, and jalapeños with oil on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Broil until blackened in spots and very soft, 12-15 minutes. Let vegetables cool slightly, then transfer to a food processor. Add cilantro and black pepper; pulse until coarsely chopped (3 or 4 pulses). Taste salsa verde and season with more salt if needed.
• Assembly:
• Portion beef into 4 loosely packed balls (5 oz. each). Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high until just beginning to smoke. Add 2 Tbsp. oil, then all 4 balls of meat. Firmly smash down on meat with a heavy metal spatula to create a craggy-edged 4"-diameter patty; season with salt and pepper. Cook, undisturbed, until deeply charred underneath, about 3 minutes. Flip and season other side with salt and pepper; cook to medium, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let rest.
• Carefully wipe out skillet with a paper towel, leaving only a light coating of oil. Set skillet over medium heat. Working in 2 batches, toast buns, cut side down, until golden brown, about 1 minute. Transfer to a clean surface.
• Heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Crack eggs into skillet and cook until whites are just set and edges are crisp, about 4 minutes. Season with salt.
• Spread insides of both tops and bottoms of buns with a heaping tablespoonful of salsa verde. Place a burger on each bottom bun, top with an egg, sunny side up, and close burger.
• Do Ahead
• Salsa verde can be made 1 day ahead. Transfer to a small bowl; cover and chill.

SUNNY'S SPICY GREEN GODDESS BURGER

Steps:

• For the patty. In a large bowl, add the beef and gently break it up so it isn't in one big lump. High over the top, sprinkle the salt, cumin and a few nice grinds of black pepper. With your less dominant hand, make a claw or pitchfork and fold the beef over itself while turning the bowl with your other hand. The goal is to blend but not over-mix the beef. Divide into 4 equal parts and make into balls. Cover and let them rest at room temperature for 2 hours.
• For the glaze. In a medium bowl, add the jelly, cilantro, dill, mint, parsley, scallions and jalapeno. Stir to combine.
• To grill and glaze. Heat the grill to 400 degrees F.
• Press or form each ball of beef into a patty slightly larger than the circumference of the buns. Place over the direct heat of the grill and cook until they release, about 4 minutes. Flip the burgers, move to the indirect heat of the grill and immediately top each with a nice spoonful of the glaze. Continue to cook until desired doneness.
• For serving: To build the burgers, start on the bottom buns and build up. Place the cheese, grilled and glazed patty, a spritz of lime and a handful of chips on each. Smear equal amounts of avocado on the inside of each top bun. Top the burgers and serve.

SUNNY'S BRISKET BURGER

Steps:

• For the patties: In a large bowl, gently mix the brisket, salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Make into 4 equal-sized patties.
• For the layers: In a cast-iron pan on medium heat, add the butter and then the red onions in 4 piles. Immediately place a patty on each mound of onions and gently press to settle. Cook until the onions char a bit, about 5 minutes. Carefully flip each burger, keeping the onions with them so that they now rest on top. Cover and cook until desired doneness. Transfer the patties to a plate and immediately top with the American cheese first, then the pepper Jack. Cover with aluminum to allow the cheeses to melt.
• For the buns: Wipe out the pan and keep it on medium heat. Butter the outsides of the buns, then place them buttered-side down on the pan and cook until toasted, about 2 minutes.
• Place a patty on each bottom bun and top with pickles, lettuce, a squirt of mustard and the top bun.

SUNNY'S EASY BRUSCHETTA BURGER

Steps:

• In a large bowl, add the ground chuck, onion and oregano. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the bowl and add a hefty amount of black pepper. Gently mix, divide into 4 balls and allow to dry-marinate at room temperature for 1 hour.
• Preheat a gas grill or large griddle on high.
• Divide each ball in half to create 8 smaller balls, then press each into a thin flat patty between 1/4 and 1/8 inch thick. The easiest way to do this is between 2 pieces of parchment paper, using a glass or rolling pin. Brush the top side of each patty with the olive oil. Add the patties oiled-side down to the grill and cook until the edges are golden, about 5 minutes. Top half of the patties with the Parmesan and cover each with another patty, creating 4 sandwiched patties. Turn off the heat and cover with aluminum foil or an upside-down metal bowl to tent for just 2 minutes.
• Place the patties on a garlic bread round (crust-side down) and top each with some tomatoes and basil and a drizzle of balsamic syrup. Top with another garlic bread round (crust-side up) and serve.