Cheeseburger Salad

 I found this idea on The Pioneer Woman and thought I would try it... OMG, I am glad I did!  This was super easy and super delicious to eat!  I could eat the croutons itself it was so good!

{THIS PICTURE IS FROM HER WEBSITE}

If you want something with less carbs in a cheeseburger, you need to try this!  You won't regret you did. Enjoy! 

These croutons were simple to do.. hubby looked at me cut the hamburger buns and thought I was nuts but once he tasted them, he thought they were great!  (from the man who still tries to tell me how to make a dish from his no knowledge of cooking.. lol)  I used 2 hamburger buns (tops and bottoms) and just cut them in little squares. I sauteed them in 1/2 stick of butter for about 10 minutes.. just until they got to where I liked the crunch in them.  (after a few taste testers, i'm surprised there was any left.. *wink*) set aside when done... nibble on a few while you make the main course! ;) 

Below are the things I added and the final shot:

-Shredded Cheese-

-Condiments include... chopped pickles, scallions (original recipe called for red onions but I prefer scallions), and chopped tomato-  are you feeling it yet?! :)

In a pan brown your meat and drain off any fat.

add in... 

 - Sauces: a squirt of ketchup, a squirt of deli mustard, a squirt of ground mustard, and a squirt of bbq sauce (mine was chipotle bbq).

{AND MY PICTURE OF THE FINISHED DISH}

And this is what you will have when you layer the meat on top of your chopped salad and top with your condiments! YUMMMMO!!!   

This would be a great superbowl dish!

RECIPE (copied from The Pioneer Woman website):

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Ground Beef
• 1/3 cup Ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Yellow Mustard
• 1 Tablespoon Dijon Or Spicy Mustard
• 2 Tablespoons Barbecue Sauce
• 2 heads Romaine Or Green-Leaf Lettuce, Torn
• 8 whole Dill Pickle Spears, Cubed
• 4 whole Roma Tomatoes, Diced
• 1 cup Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 1 whole Red Onion, Sliced
• 4 whole Hamburger Buns
• 1 stick Butter

Preparation Instructions

(Adapted from The Pampered Chef.)

Brown meat in a large skillet, then remove from heat and drain off the fat. Add ketchup, mustards, and barbecue sauce to the meat and stir to combine. Taste and add more of whatever you think it needs. Keep warm.

Cut hamburger buns into 1-inch cubes. Melt 1/4 stick butter in a separate skillet, then add the bread cubes and toss to coat. Toast the croutons in the skillet over low heat for about 10 -12 minutes, adding 1/4 stick of butter every couple of minutes until you've used the whole stick. (This will ensure all the croutons soak up the butter and toast nicely.)

To assemble each salad, pile torn lettuce on a plate. Pile on a good quantity of the meat mixture, then top with plenty of grated cheddar. Add diced tomato, chunks of pickles, and slices of red onion over the top, then sprinkle warm croutons all around the plate.