The Exercise Coach Montgomery

(Recipe of the Week) Burgers and the 4th of July go hand in hand—but that doesn’t mean you have to load up on heavy foods that leave you feeling sluggish. Wrapped in crisp romaine instead of a bun, it’s delicious, satisfying, and perfect for backyard grilling or gathering around the picnic table with friends.

Inside-Out Burgers

(via: https://bit.ly/4aukr2c)

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
½ cup red onion, diced
½ cup mushrooms, chopped
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 cups spinach
1 small tomato, diced, liquid drained
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Sea salt and pepper, to taste
16 ounces ground bison (can substitute ground grass-fed beef or turkey)
8 leaves romaine lettuce

Directions:
Step 1
Heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, cook for 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in mushrooms.

Step 2
Add balsamic vinegar and stir. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring a few times.

Step 3
Add balsamic vinegar and stir. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring a few times.

Step 4
Add spinach and tomato and cook for another minute. Stir in mustard and turn off heat. Season with salt and pepper. Drain off excess liquid and reserve. Cool in refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Step 5
Form bison into 4 evenly sized balls. With your fingers, make a well in the center of each ball. Stuff about 2 tablespoons spinach mixture inside each ball. Seal the top and flatten to form a patty.

Step 6
Grill or broil your burgers.

To grill: Heat your grill pan using a little oil.

When hot, grill each patty for about 2-3 minutes on each side or when desired doneness is reached. Repeat as needed depending on pan size.

To broil: Set oven broiler to "high." Place patties on a foil-lined baking sheet on top oven rack. Broil for about 3 minutes, flip patties over, and broil for about another 2-3 minutes or until burgers reach desired doneness.

Step 7
Let the burgers rest for a couple of minutes. Take 2 romaine leaves and sandwich your burger between them.

Serving Tip: Instead of mayo or sugary ketchup, use a dollop of homemade Creamy Ranch Dressing on top of burger.
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Homemade Creamy Ranch Dressing:

Ingredients:
1 avocado, pitted and sliced
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
Juice from half a lemon
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dill w**d (or more if you like dill)
1 tablespoon parsley
1 teaspoon onion powder
⅛ teaspoon sea salt
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:
Add all ingredients in a blender and blend for about 2 minutes or until you have your desired consistency. Add a little water or lemon juice if you prefer a less "creamy" consistency.
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Note: This dish is approved for the 30-Day Metabolic Comeback Challenge. Find all Recipes of the Week on our Pinterest boards: https://bit.ly/3VhrcuT

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"I recommend the Exercise Coach to everyone, I even told my doctor about it, so she would have an exercise solution that works to recommend to her patients. The studio is welcoming, easy, and efficient. Even when I don’t feel like working out, I can remind myself it is only 20 minutes and then I always go to my appointment. Most important to me is the results I have seen with just 20 minutes two times a week. I loved it so much, I convinced my husband to join. It has been over a year now for both of us and we are the strongest we have been in over a decade. Now, we can easily enjoy hikes or even ski all day without pain."

- Shannon B., Broomfield, CO