Wait, don’t leave! They are REALLY good! And not as odd as they sound.
I really love burgers, but I also am trying to lose weight. Those buns are not great for me, but a plain hamburger patty on a plate is boring. I went looking for something new, and found this recipe, and we tried it out recently. It was delicious! The fat from the ground beef infuses the cabbage with a lot of flavor, but doesn’t leave it feeling overly greasy. I walked away from the table quite pleased with myself!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 egg, whisked
- 2 to 3 tbsp panko or breadcrumbs
- green onions and parsley, minced
- 1 head cabbage, cut into thick “steak” slices
- olive oil, drizzles
- spices – oregano, thyme, salt, pepper to taste
- cheese slices (optional)
- 1/4 cup tomato or pizza sauce (optional)
Cover a lipped baking sheet with tin foil, and then coat with your favorite no-stick spray. Preheat your oven to 450*F, with the rack in the center of the space. Lay the circular “cabbage steaks” onto the baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle the cabbage with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, egg, panko or breadcrumbs, and whatever spices you like. Also add in the green onions and parsley. Mix together thoroughly, with your hands. A spoon will not do; you need to get in there and squish it around so it’s thoroughly combined and there aren’t any clumps of spices. Form into the number of “cabbage steaks” you have. For a pound of ground beef, that came out to one 6″ round and one 3″ round for three people. That was a good amount for us, and left us quite full.
When the cabbage is slightly cooked, take it out of the oven. If you wish, spread some tomato or pizza sauce over the cabbage, then add your beef patties. Press gently into the cabbage, but not hard enough to squish the cabbage out of shape. Top the burger with a thin layer of panko or breadcrumbs for a slightly crispy finish. Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
Check how well done your burgers are. You want them to be somewhat pink in the center, but not raw and not over-cooked. Add a slice of cheese, if you are using it, and return to the oven just long enough for the cheese to thoroughly melt.
Serve with a side of your favorite rice or potatoes, or a salad.