How to cook burgers with half the fat

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Posted at 12:02PM, 23 June 2011 by Hannah Williams - Editor, bbcgoodfood.com

It's barbecue season... well it would be if it would stop raining, and as stalwart cooks across Britain stride towards the garden, umbrella in hand, swathes of well-intentioned calorie counters let out a heavy sigh. They're stealing themselves for the start of summer temptations.

Burgers and bangers smothered in sauce are the taste of British summertime but as the nation indulges its fetish for al fresco feasts anyone battling for a bikini body must contemplate the irony of loading groaning plates ever higher while simultaneously shedding layers of clothes.

Anyone battling for a bikini body must contemplate the irony of loading groaning plates ever higher while simultaneously shedding layers of clothes

Luckily help is at hand. Dedicated to transforming favourite family recipes into healthy, lighter versions, all equal in taste, Good Food expert Angela Nilsen has set her sights on the ultimate burger.

With half the fat of a classic recipe and a third less calories, Angela's recipe loses nothing in flavour and will even count as two of your five a day.

Here's how she did it...

By swapping regular mince for a leaner variety Angela cut down the fat while keeping her burgers bulky with the addition of grated carrot.

Instead of slopping the oil onto the grill pan or barbecue Angela brushed each individual burger with a light coating of rapeseed oil.

To limit the high salt content often used to give burgers flavour Angela turned to mustard, tarragon and garlic instead.

Replacing ketchup and mayo with a delicious homemade salsa and swapping the inevitably limp lettuce leaf for a handful of crunchy watercress gave Angela's burgers a fresh, summer flavour while upping the levels of vitamin C.

Finally Angela finished her burgers with a healthy fibre boost by opting for wholemeal rolls.

So this summer doesn't have to be about self-loathing or sacrifice, you can fire up the barbie with a clear conscience and still feel comfortable heading down to the beach. Now, if only Angela could do something about this weather...

Get the step-by-step recipe for Angela's Ultimate Makeover burgers
Browse all Angela's Ultimate Makeover recipes
Indulge in more healthy summer treats

Comments

StormyRaincloud

30 June 2011, 2:22PM
StormyRaincloud

I have always had wholemeal bread rolls etc, and I only use turkey mince for my burgers. They are delicious. I use lots of herbs and spices, not too much to overpower, just enough to make them taste wonderful. And of course lots of garlic :)

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JimmyRuthers

15 July 2011, 11:33AM
JimmyRuthers

Mmmmm that sounds delicious - but I think that a fish-b-que is the order of the day when comes to alfresco eating for the health conscious

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robonions

29 July 2011, 9:53PM
robonions

don't forget the onions. You can't have a burger without fried onions. The best smell in the world in my book!

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