Fresh Spinach & Feta Chicken Burger
Ingredients
Caramelized Sweet onions & Golden Delicious apples
2 tsp olive oil
1 large sweet onion thinly sliced
1 large golden delicious apple Julienne
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons 100% apple juice
Patties
20-ounce bag fresh young spinach divided
2 pounds ground chicken thighs
1-teaspoon salt
½-teaspoon garlic salt
½-teaspoon black pepper
4 fresh cloves of garlic finely minced or pressed
½-cup plain dried bread crumbs
3 egg yolk (well beaten)
½ cup loosely packed crumbled feta cheese
Olive oil, for brushing on the grill
6 Whole-wheat hamburger buns
Mayonnaise
Remaining fresh spinach leaves
Instructions
•Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium high. •To make caramelized onions & apples, combine oil, onion, apple, brown sugar, and apple juice in 10-inch nonstick, fireproof skillet. Cover with lid, and place on grill. Cook onion and apple mixture for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions and apples are caramelized and most of the liquid has evaporated. Remove the pan from the grill and set aside. •To prepare spinach, heat four quarts of water over medium-high heat, until rapidly boiling. Trim stems of approximately 15-ounces of spinach, reserve remaining 5-ounces for garnish. Pile the leaves into a mesh strainer, lower strainer into boiling water. Immerse for 30 seconds, remove the spinach from boiling water, rinse under cold water, drain, and set aside to cool. When spinach is completely cooled gather spinach in small handfuls and squeeze out excess water. Break apart squeezed spinach. •To make the patties combine the spinach, chicken, salt, garlic salt, black pepper, minced garlic, dried breadcrumbs, egg yolks, and feta cheese in a large bowl. Handle the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it, mix well. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form portions into patties to fit the buns. •Brush the grill with olive oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, just until juices run clear when patties are pierced in center, about 5-6 minutes on each side. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the buns, cut side down, on the outer edges of the grill to toast lightly. •To assemble the burgers spread mayonnaise to taste over the cut sides of the toasted buns. On each bun bottom, place a few fresh spinach leaves, a patty, and an equal portion of the caramelized onions and apples. Add the bun tops and serve. Makes 6 burgers