Mini “Bergers” on a Sweet Potato “Bun”

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I find it is more difficult to find the inspiration to whip up fresh and new dishes in the winter compared to summer. Is anyone else with me on that one? Maybe it’s the limited availability of fresh, seasonal ingredients. Or perhaps because I’d rather hibernate, sip hot tea, and gaze at the fluttering snow than push myself to new endeavors. Whatever the reason, I recognize that I’m becoming complacent. The oven has become my best friend to whip up every meal, roasted vegetable medleys my specialty, and I’ve eaten so much homemade soup that I’m about to turn into a boiled carrot!
But even complacency melts into boredom and I can only suppress the innovative juices for so long! I have once again rekindled the creative cooking fire in my soul this past week and began scribbling down new recipes. As a result, I determined to make a dish that is worthy of a spot on my summer menu: A flavorful mini-hamburger on a sweet potato “bun”, with sauteed peppers and onions, topped with tomato and hummus. Sounds delightful right? It was. I wasn’t sure how to make it happen, but as it turns out, the oven broiler can turn your ordinary sweet potato slices into delicious little bun replacements! A perfect grain-free option.
Sautéed green peppers, purple onions, and sliced tomato
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Mini Burgers on a Sweet Potato "Bun"

A fun twist on the traditional burger, these "bergers" ditch the grain bun for a roasted sweet potato. This recipe is great when you need to throw something together quick for dinner but still want a flavorful veggie boost!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 burgers

Ingredients
  

For the Burgers

  • 1 large Sweet Potato
  • 1 pound grass-fed ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 large green bell pepper sliced
  • 1 red onion sliced
  • 1 clove fresh garlic minced
  • 1 tsp hummus or mustard per burger
  • 1 roma tomato sliced (optional garnish)
  • romaine lettuce garnish, optional

Burger Seasoning Mix

  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 tsp. Himalayan or sea salt

Instructions
 

Prepare the "Buns"

  • Preheat your oven broiler.
  • Slice sweet potato into 8, 1/4" thick rounds and place evenly on a lightly greased baking pan, do not overlap. Place under broiler 2 rack-rungs from the top and cook for 6-7 minutes, or until browned, not burned.
  • Remove and flip to alternative side, return to oven and cook another 4-5 minutes until soft throughout and browned. Set aside when finished cooking.

Prepare the Burgers

  • Preheat a large round pan over medium heat.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine all of the seasonings evenly with the ground beef/meat. Form into 8 flat, even-sized balls and flatten into burgers.
  • Chop the onion and pepper into slices and mince the garlic; set aside.
  • Place burgers into the hot pan and allow to cook for 2 minutes. Cover and continue cooking another 5 minutes or until you cannot see any pink on the up side. Flip burgers and cook another 3-5 minutes to desired doneness. When burgers are finished, transfer to a plate and cover.
  • Add the onion and pepper to the hot pan directly into the juice from the burgers. Cook for about 5 minutes or until they reach desired doneness. Stir in the garlic and add the burgers back into the pan to reheat.
  • Build your burgers with one sweet potato slice on the bottom, adding the sauteed veggies, tomato, burger, and hummus/mustard (or other desired toppings). Enjoy!

Notes

Plan for about 2 burgers per serving. Each recipe will make 8 burgers, 4 servings.