Fatburger

Southern California - the birthplace of famous hamburgers from McDonald's, Carl's Jr., and In-n-Out Burger - is home to another thriving burger chain that opened its first outlet in 1952. Lovie Yancey thought of the perfect name for the 1/3-pound burgers she sold at her Los Angeles burger joint: Fatburger. Now with over 41 units in California, Nevada, and moving into Washington and Arizona, Fatburger has become the food critics' favorite, winning "best burger in town" honors with regularity. The secret is the seasoned salt used on a big 'ol lean beef patty. And there's no ketchup on the stock version, just mayo, mustard, and relish. Replace the ground beef with ground turkey and you've got Fatburger's Turkeyburger all up and cloned.

Recipe's Ingredients:
1/3 pound lean ground beef

seasoned salt

ground black pepper

1 plain hamburger bun

1/2 tablespoon mayonnaise

1/4 cup chopped iceberg lettuce

1 tomato slice

1/2 tablespoon mustard

1/2 tablespoon sweet pickle relish

1 tablespoon chopped onion

3 dill pickle slices (hamburger slices)

Optional

1 slice American cheese

Grill the unsuspecting beef patty in a hot frying pan.
Slap the hot side and the cold side together.
1. Form the ground beef into a patty that is about 1 inch wider than the circumference of the hamburger bun.

2. Preheat a non-stick frying pan to medium/high heat. Fry the patty in the pan for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until done. Season both sides of the beef with seasoned salt and ground black pepper.

3. As the meat cooks prepare the bun by spreading approximately 1/2 tablespoon of mayonnaise on the face of the top bun.

4. Place the lettuce on the mayonnaise, followed by the tomato slice.

5. When the beef is done place the patty on the bottom bun.

6. Spread about 1/2 tablespoon of mustard over the top of the beef patty.

7. Spoon about 1/2 tablespoon of relish over the mustard.

8. Sprinkle the chopped onion onto the relish.

9. Arrange the pickles on the chopped onion.

10. Bring the two halves of the burger together and serve with gumption.

Makes 1 burger.

Tidbits

If you want cheese on your burger, put a slice of American cheese on the face of the bottom bun before adding the beef patty. The heat from the meat will melt the cheese.

Carl's Jr. Ranch Crispy Chicken Sandwich

We'll use elements of the Carl's Jr. Bacon Swiss Crispy Chicken Sandwich clone recipe to whip up oneof the other Carl's Jr. crispy chicken sandwiches, because I always say you can never have too much crispy chicken. This fried chicken breast sandwich includes lettuce and tomato, and is slathered with a clone of Carl'stasty ranch dressing. Use the recipes together and you can easily serve up two different sandwich clones for different tastes, with little extra effort. And you diners will be so impressed.

Recipe for Ranch Dressing

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons sour cream

1 tablespoon buttermilk

1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon parsley

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

dash dill weed

dash garlic powder

dash ground black pepper

2 teaspoons hot water

1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
6 to 8 cups vegetable shortening

1 egg

1 cup water

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

4 chicken breast fillets

4 sesame seed hamburger buns

4 lettuce leaves

4 tomato slices

1. Preheat 6 to 8 cups of shortening in a deep fryer to 350 degrees. If you don't have a deep fryer, you can also pan fry using a large frying pan, and just a couple cups of shortening.

2. To prepare the ranch dressing, combine all of the ingredients except the water and gelatin in small bowl. Mix the water with the gelatin in a small cup until all of the gelatin is dissolved. Add this gelatin solution to the other ingredients and stir. Cover and chill the dressing until it's needed.

3. Beat the egg and then combine with 1 cup of water in a small, shallow bowl. Stir.

4. Combine the flour, salt, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder in another shallow bowl.

5. Pound each of the breast fillets with a mallet until about 1/4-inch thick. Trim each breast fillet until it is round.

6. Working with one fillet at a time, first coat each fillet with the flour, then dredge it in the egg and water mixture. Coat the chicken once again in the flour and set it aside until all of the fillets have been coated.

7. Fry the chicken fillets for 8 to 12 minutes or until light brown and crispy.

8. As chicken is frying, prepare each sandwich by grilling the face of the hamburger buns on a hot skillet over medium heat. Spread about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the ranch dressing on the face of the top and bottom buns.

9. On the bottom bun, stack a leaf of lettuce and a tomato slice.

10. When the chicken is done frying, remove the fillets from the fryer and drain on paper towels or a rack for a couple minutes.

11. Stack one fillet on the bottom of the sandwich (on top of the tomato), then top it off with the top bun. Repeat the stacking process for each of the sandwiches.

Makes 4 sandwiches.

Carl's Jr.Bacon Swiss Crispy Chicken Sandwich

If you love crispy chicken sandwiches - and especially if you don't live in the West - you'll want to try out this clone of the tasty Carl's Jr. creation. The recipe makes four of the addicting chicken sandwiches from theCalifornia-based chain, but will also come in handy for making a delicious homemade ranch dressing. Try using some lean turkey bacon, fat-free Swiss cheese, and fat-free mayonnaise if you feel like cutting back on the fat.Then you can eat two.

Recipe fo Ranch Dressing
1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons sour cream

1 tablespoon buttermilk

1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon parsley

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

dash dill weed

dash garlic powder

dash ground black pepper

2 teaspoons hot water

1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
6 to 8 cups vegetable shortening

1 egg

1 cup water

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

4 chicken breast fillets

4 sesame seed hamburger buns

4 lettuce leaves

4 tomato slices

Kraft Swiss cheese Singles

8 slices bacon, cooked

1. Preheat 6 to 8 cups of shortening in a deep fryer to 350 degrees. If you don't have a deep fryer, you can also pan fry using a large frying pan and just a couple cups of shortening.

2. To prepare the ranch dressing, combine all of the ingredients except the water and gelatin in small bowl. Mix the water with the gelatin in a small cup until all of the gelatin is dissolved. Add this gelatin solution to the other ingredients and stir. Cover and chill the dressing until it's needed.

3. Beat the egg and then combine with 1 cup water in a small, shallow bowl. Stir.

4. Combine the flour, salt, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder in another shallow bowl.

5. Pound each of the breast fillets with a mallet until about 1/4-inch thick. Trim each breast fillet until it is round.

6. Working with one fillet at a time, first coat each fillet with the flour, then dredge it in the egg and water mixture. Coat the chicken once again in the flour and set it aside until all of the fillets have been coated.

7. Fry the chicken fillets for 8 to 12 minutes or until light brown and crispy.

8. As chicken is frying, prepare each sandwich by grilling the face of the hamburger buns on a hot skillet over medium heat. Spread about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the ranch dressing on the face of the top and bottom buns.

9. On the bottom bun, stack a leaf of lettuce and a tomato slice.

10. When the chicken is done frying, remove the fillets from the fryer and drain them on paper towels or a rack for a couple minutes.

11. Stack one fillet on the bottom of the sandwich (on top of the tomato), then stack a slice of the Swiss cheese onto the chicken.

12. Arrange the bacon, crosswise, on top of the Swiss cheese, then top off the sandwich with the top bun. Repeat the stacking process for each of the remaining sandwiches.

Makes 4 sandwiches.

Burger King BK Broiler

This grilled chicken sandwich was introduced byAmerica's number-two burger chain in 1990, and soon after the launch the BK Broiler was selling at a rate of over a million a day. Not good news for chickens.

This one's easy to duplicate at home. To clone the shape of the chicken served at the burger giant, you'll simply slice the chicken breasts in half, and pound each piece flat with a mallet. Pounding things is fun. Let the chicken marinate and then fire up the grill. The recipe makes four sandwiches and can be easily doubled if necessary for a king-size munch fest.

Recipe for Marinade

3/4 cup water

2 teaspoons ketchup

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon oregano

dash onion powder

dash parsley

2 chicken breast fillets

4 sesame seed hamburger buns

1 1/3 cups chopped lettuce

1/4 cup mayonnaise

8 tomato slices

1. Make the marinade by combining the ingredients in a medium bowl.

2. Prepare the chicken by cutting each breast in half. Fold a piece of plastic wrap around each piece of chicken and pound the meat with a tenderizing mallet until it is about 1/4 - inch thick and about the same diameter as the hamburger buns. Place the chicken into the marinade, cover it, and chill for at least four hours. Overnight is even better.

3. Preheat your barbecue or indoor grill to high heat. Grill the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until done.

4. Toast the faces of the hamburger buns in a pan or griddle, in a toaster oven, or facedown on the grill. Watch the buns closely to be certain that the faces turn only light brown and do not burn.
5. Build each sandwich from the top down by first spreading about a tablespoon of the mayonnaise on the toasted face of a top bun.

6. Spread about 1/3 cup of chopped lettuce over the mayonnaise.

7. Arrange two tomato slices on the lettuce.

8. Place a chicken breast on the toasted face of the bottom bun.

9. Flip the top part of the sandwich over onto the bottom and scarf out.

Serves 4.
Tidbits

Liquid smoke is a flavoring found near the barbecue sauces and marinades. Use hickory-flavored liquid smoke if you have a choice.

Big Mouth Sandwich

Big Mouth Sandwich

Recipe By : Jo Anne Merrill
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:30


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/2 pound lean ground beef
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt -- or seasoned salt
2 California avocados -- sliced
1 French bread loaf -- or long loaf
garlic salt -- to taste
8 ounces refried beans -- 1 can
shredded lettuce
1 tomato -- sliced
2 green onions -- sliced
1/2 cup cheddar cheese -- shredded
taco sauce -- optional

1. Brown ground beef very thoroughly; drain well. Stir in salt and chili
powder; keep hot.

2. Halve, peel and slice avocados into flat slices.

3. Split French bread in half lengthwise. Lightly toast cut sides under
broiler.

4. Place half the avocado slices on bottom half of bread. Sprinkle with
garlic salt if using.

5. Heat refried beans. Spread an even layer of beans over avocado, then
spoon on browned meat.

6. Cover meat with shredded cheese, then with shredded lettuce. Sprinkle
lettuce with taco sauce if using.

7. Cover with a layer of sliced tomato then sprinkle on the chopped
onions. Place remaining avocado slices on tomatoes and sprinkle with
garlic salt.

8. Cover with top half of bread; cut into serving sized sandwiches.

Serving Ideas : Serve with warm tortilla chips and iced tea or beer.

NOTES : This sandwich speaks for itself as to how it got its name.

Applebee's Low-Fat Asian Chicken Salad

Applebee's Low-Fat Asian Chicken Salad

As the seasons change so does the menu, at this popular 1064-unit casual restaurant chain. As with any salad, the waistline violator is the traditionally fat-filled dressing that is drizzled in gobs over the top of very healthy greens (a tablespoon of dressing is usually around 10-12 grams of fat each).

So if we can just figure out a cool way to make the dressing fat-free, we're well on our way to making huge salad for four of them to be exact with only 12 grams of fat on the entire plate. Most of those grams come from the chicken breast, while the crunchy chow mein noodles pick up the rest. Just be sure to plan ahead when you make this one.

The chicken should marinate for a few hours if you want it to taste like the original. Get ready for some big, meal-size salads.

Ingredients for this recipe:

1 cup teriyaki marinade

4 chicken breast fillets Fat-Free Asian Dressing

2 cups water

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons dry pectin

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon paprika

8 cups chopped romaine lettuce

8 cups chopped iceberg lettuce

3 cups shredded red cabbage

3 cups shredded green cabbage

2 cups shredded carrots

1 cup chopped green onion

1 1/3 cups crispy chow mein noodles

1. Combine teriyaki marinade and chicken breasts in a medium bowl or resealable plastic bag. Marinate chicken for 3-4 hours.

2. Prepare the dressing by combining all of the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring mixture to a rolling boil while stirring often with a whisk, then remove the pan from the heat to cool. When dressing has cooled, pour it into a covered container and chill.

3. When chicken breasts have marinated, preheat barbecue grill to high heat. Grill chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until done.

4. Combine the romaine and iceberg lettuce, red and green cabbage and 1 cup of shredded carrots in a large bowl with the dressing. Toss well.

5. Divide the tossed greens among four plates. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of green onions over each salad, followed by 1/3 cup of crispy chow mein noodles.

6. When the chicken breasts are done, slice each one, widthwise, into bite-size pieces. Sprinkle the sliced chicken breasts over each salad.

7. Place a 1/4 cup pile of shredded carrots in the center of each salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size 1 salad

Total servings 4

Fat (per serving) 12g

Calories (per serving) 575