Burger Bowls with Pickled Shallots, Everything Bagel Croutons and Creamy Chipotle Dressing

This is my new favorite go to for quick, easy and tasty meals as well as having company over for a casual “everybody make your own” gathering, which is a fun way to host a dinner and also great for kids,.  Everyone loves to build their own plate.  Whether it be tacos, pizzas or in this case, deconstructed burgers, the fun factor is there.  Something about having ultimate control over your bowl is just plain enjoyable.


It takes next to no time to brown a pound of your choice of ground meat, flavored up however you want.  You can use ground beef, chicken, turkey or any of the phenomenal ground meat substitutes that are out there in the groceries today.  I chose ground turkey for ours, which I always have on hand in my freezer and seasoned it up with Sambar powder, which is a great Indian spice blend which typically contains chili, cumin and turmeric.  I’m loving Sambar currently and using it in a lot of dishes, but you can use chili powder, garlic, simple salt & pepper or your current favorite flavoring blend.

The beauty of the burger bowl is that anything goes.  Think how crazy burgers get these days. Want a fried egg topping your burger bowl w/the yolk running down into the lettuces?  Go for it!  Want yours spicy with lots of chili peppers, greek style with feta and roasted red peppers, Italian with olives and tomatoes.  You’re only limited by your imagination.


My quick pickled shallots make a great, zingy accompaniment for this particular recipe but the kicker to me are the Everything Bagel Croutons.  I make my own everything bagel seasoning blend but you can certainly purchase it as it’s available absolutely everywhere now.  Being that there is no bun for the burger bowl, I through sone really great croutons would soften the no-bun blow and put these over the edge,  Indeed, the croutons are craveable and I found myself snacking on them hot out of the oven,.  They’re quite tasty.

EVERYTHING BAGEL CROUTONS (CHECK OUT MY RECIPE FOR THIS SPICE BLEND THAT HAS MULTIPLE USES)

THE PICKLED SHALLOTS ARE SIMPLE, QUICK AND A GREAT TANGY ADD

CREAMY CHIPOTLE DRESSING IS THE BEST

A quick, creamy chipotle dressing tops the whole extravaganza and dinner is born.  You’ll find so many different variations of this bowl and you’ll be making it on a weekly basis.  Can’t wait to hear about your creation.  Tag a pic on Pinterest or Instagram!!

Burger Bowls with Pickled Shallots, Everything Bagel Croutons
and Creamy Chipotle Dressing


Serves 4


Pickled Shallots
1 Shallot
1/4 cup Rice Vinegar
Pinch of salt (I like course sea salt)


Peel shallot and cut in half lengthwise then cut into thin half moon slices.  Place in a small bowl.  Sprinkle over salt then pour over vinegar.  Massage or mix the shallots gently just to combine well with the vinegar.  Let them set at least 15 minutes, but a bit longer is better or even overnight.  I keep any leftover pickled shallots in the fridge to use on sandwiches and salads.


Meat Mixture
1 lb ground meat (I used ground turkey with a white & dark meat blend)
1 heaping teaspoon Sambar powder, Ras El Hanout or 1 Tablespoon chili powder (or whatever seasoning you like). Simple garlic, salt & pepper works equally well.
1 teaspoon salt
Olive oil


Saute ground meat in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat.  Add spices of choice and salt and cook through until done.


Chipotle Mayo Dressing
1/3 cup mayonnaise (I like olive oil mayo)
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 Tablespoon chipotle in adobo (I blitz a jar of these in my mini blender and keep the lovely puree on hand in the fridge for purposes just like this)
1-2 teaspoons agave or honey


Whisk all ingredients together & drizzle over the burger bowls




Everything Bagel Croutons
1 plain bagel, such as Lenders
2 teaspoons Everything Bagel Seasoning (see my recipe here) 
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt (if your seasoning blend doesn’t contain salt)


Preheat oven to 350.  Tear bagel into bite sized pieces.  I tear rather than cut for more jagged, crispy edges that absorb the oil and seasoning blend.  Place on a baking sheet.  I line mine with parchment paper (available on our shop page) but not necessary.  Drizzle with olive oil, seasoning and salt if needed.  Toss to coat well.  Bake for 20 minutes or until croutons are crisp and golden.




Assembly and Optional add ons
(this is where you get creative and use what you want)


Lettuces ( I like to use a base of field greens and arugula, but romaine or even iceberg would work)
Tomatoes or sun dried tomatoes, chopped
Roasted red peppers

Olives, any kind, chopped or sliced
Crumbled Bacon
Avocado
Cheese. Think feta, goat cheese, good old shredded cheddar….
Fried Eggs




To assemble place an assortment of greens into each of 4 bowls,  I like a mix of field greens and arugula,  but romaine or iceberg would work well.  
Place ground meat over the greens, then top with all your selected toppings, shallots, croutons and drizzle with the Creamy Chipotle dressing.    If you’re a fried egg on your burger type person, now is the time.  Dig in!