Sometimes you just need a good burger.
I’m not one to deny myself.
The craving has hit me hard toward the end of this prep. The beef is easy – most grocers sell some form of “super lean” grass-fed ground beef (my veggie friends could use a bean burger or tempeh here).
The bun is a bit harder to replicate… until I remembered my eggplant chips! They are delicious alone, but they also make for a perfect burger vehicle.
For my eggplant bun I cut the slices a bit thicker so that they were hearty enough to stand up to a festive fall spread. Festive in color… perhaps a little nontraditional flavor-wise. Some might call it strange, but I call it good.
During my meal prep each week, I bake a few sweet potatoes. I mashed up part of one with nutritional yeast, curry powder, and smoked paprika to make a pleasantly sweet, Indian-spiced cheesy spread.
Craving = satisfied.
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Curry Sweet Potato Burger
- Burger patty (or protein of your choosing)
- Eggplant chips
- 1/4 C sweet potato, mashed
- 2 T nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp curry powder
- Juice of 1/4 lime
- Smoked paprika, to taste
Prepare burger and chips.
Meanwhile, prepare your sweet potato spread by mixing sweet potato, nutritional yeast, spices, and lime in a small bowl. You may need to add water depending on the moisture content of your sweet potato.
Construct your burger and enjoy!
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How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week? The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends! Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.
Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂
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I eat a TON of orange food. How my palms are glowing in the dark yet it beyond me!
What was the best costume you saw this Halloween?
Are you a curry fan? Have you ever used it with sweet potato?
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Wow from burger to bun, the entire process is strangebutgood- love it! I am obsessed with curry powder recently, and chuck it in all things and everything- especially in tuna patties or roasted with cauliflower! Never thought to mash it with sweet potato though! I had an Indian curry once which was pumpkin and sweet potato based- so good!
Laura says
I’m going to have to make curried tuna! I was on a salmon + fruit + curry kick for awhile.
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta says
I love curry! I really like the idea of eggplant chips/bun. Sounds interesting.
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
THROW ME ONE OF THOSE BURGERS… Toss it right in my mouth.
Love me some BUNS!
Mitchell says
If I had to pick one food as my ‘favourite’ it is definitely a beef burger. I’m sorry, but there is no other competition – and that’s one tough competition! It’s big, mean and filling. It says ‘back-off because I am one tough MF’.
You get two hands around it, you devour it. SO good. Side of fries (read: roasted cauliflower) and I am in heaven.
For some reason though I always associate burgers with American diners. An incorrect assumption?
Laura says
Burgers are a diner staple, but in recent years we’ve had a gourmet burger trend. There are some truly great ones to be found here in ATL!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
Never thought of an eggplant as a bun. Genius!
Miz says
Ive never ever ever eaten CURRY!
my parents? HUGE FANS.
I need to at least try ONCE and offer to my child.
Laura says
For real?! You must try. Not all curries are spicy – it depends on the country and even the region.
lindsay says
is it strange that i am craving curry at 6am? nope. Love ya!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
the fourth grade teachers were pigs in blankets… i think that was pretty good! lol haha i saw lots of pictures of a 50 shades of grey and thought that was funny!
Laura says
Did you see the 50 Shades of Grey Poupon? I want to be that next year! 🙂
Khushboo says
Love the use of eggplant as a bun replacement! Another good one alternative would be portabello mushrooms! The only Halloween costumes I saw this year were on instagram and facebook. One which especially caught my eye was a Tabasco costume- genius!
Laura says
Portabello makes a great bun too! Ifind them to be so juicy they need to be open-faced. Those are a good nest for a little #yolkporn too. 🙂
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
You know you’re strange when you find this burger recipe completely normal! I’ve never tried eggplant chips but I feel like I need to change that! Have a wonderful weekend Laura!
Suzanne @ hello, veggy! says
I Love curry! This recipe sounds great 🙂
The best costume I saw was google maps. And a deer haha
Laura says
Google Maps??? How did they pull that off?! People are so creatvie – I love it!
Meg @ A Dash of Meg says
that sounds great! i haven’t had eggplant in a long time! yum
Lee says
I wish I could get on board with eggplant – I just can’t do it! But I do love some curry.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
I’ve never see the eggplant-bun thing…I’m not an eggplant fan so I couldn’t do it, but maybe portabello mushrooms would work for me? Hope you have an awesome weekend!
Laura says
You miiiight like it better here since the chip-factor changes the texture. But if it’s the taste, I’d stick to the ‘shrooms
Maureen says
Eggplant is my favorite vegetable of all time, but I have never thought to use it as a bun. I see eggplant in a whole new light now! 🙂
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Eggplant bun?! LOVE it! [And I actually find this a little strange…for once. ;)]
Laura says
Whaaaaat?! Beefy oats aren’t strange but this is??? I heart you.
Nicole @ FruitnFitness says
Oh I want to try this! I love sweet potato with just about anything, although I have never thought of mixing it with a burger and eggplant before.
Fran@BCDC says
Love eggplant and this looks delicious, Laura. Funny a friend just made a comment today asking how to use eggplant. You can bet I’ll be sending him the link to this post. Have a great weekend!
Laura says
Thank you, Fran! I bet it’s low in WW points too. 🙂
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
Fantastic idea! Guess I need to get more eggplant, used the last of what I had last night.
Kierston @candyfit says
Oh yum! I love anything curry. This sounds yum yum! Did I say yum? Let’s go with another yum just for the sake of it. Ready? yummmmmmmmmmmmm.
She Rocks Fitness says
Nom Nom! Love the simplicity of this recipe and sweet potatoes can cure a lot of cravings…so much awesomeness in those bad boys. Love the idea of eggplant chips. I have never tried it before, but will give it a shot. They’re so hearty!
Laura says
Totally agree on the ‘taters. They are my dessert these days. 🙂
Hannah says
Oh hells yeah.
RavieNomNoms says
What a great idea!! I would never have thought of eggplant as the bun! GENIUS
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com says
I am loving these eggplant chips in lieu of buns! I am not a fan of buns…and mostly do without – but this is a marvelous idea!
And as for curry and sweet potato! Oh heaven! curry goes insanely well with pumpkin too – I combine the 2 for my version of pumpkin soup!
Laura says
Ohhhh… I’m going to check out your soup! I assume it’s on your blog?
Jody - Fit at 55 says
YOU ROCK!!!! I can only imagine how many different things I would try if you were my personal chef! 🙂
BTW, why don’t I look as good as your mom does at the same age… pls tell me what she does!!!! 🙂
Laura says
Awwww… you look fabulous! I’ve actually showed her pics of you before and she’s in awe of your physique.
Jody - Fit at 55 says
I am really & honestly curious what she does for her face – she looks amazing or is it just good genes since you are a beauty!
Laura says
Lots of expensie face cream, I’m sure. LOL! I think a lot is genes – we have a lot of Native American blood and tolerate the sun well. I’ll pass along the compliment. Thank you!
Heather @ Better With Veggies says
Okay…I’ve been on a stricter diet for all of one day and I hate it! I am no good at this part of competition prep at all! I miss variety already. 🙂
Laura says
That’s when you change up the proteins – I have every type of lean fish known to man! 🙂
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
I’m so right there with you on the eggplant chips. I have two eggplants in my crisper right now, including one the size of my palm…just a baby. I keep debating between ratatouille and chips, although I have made chips several times this year and no ratatouille yet…your chips looks so good though….hmmm. I’ve got some decisions to make. I hope your Saturday is just as constructive.
Laura says
You should stuff the baby ones!!! I had a great stuffed mini-eggplant app in a red curry sauce at my favorite Indian spot here.
Sue says
Eggplant chips as a burger bun replacement? That’s a brilliant idea! I have some grain based veggie burger mixes, and I don’t like pairing them with bread. This version sounds much better.
Curry is an awesome spice mix, it goes well with almost anything. I’ve used it in vegetable soups, salad dressings, dips, and even with ketchup to top my French fries. Yum!
Laura says
Curried ketchup is the best!!!
Court Star @ StarSystemz says
All that orange food will help you glow on stage! Eggplant chip bun is an incredible idea! Have an amazing weekend xo C
Michelle says
Mmm totally making that sweet tater mash/spread!! I also love orange food. ..&sweet potatoes are the food of the gods. DELICIOUS:]
Laura says
LOL! Totally agree. I’m about to have some God-food for dessert. 😉
Taylor @ LiftingRevolution says
Looks delicious! I love using eggplant as a vehicle! Makes for a great “mini” pizza pie too.
Laura says
How have I not made mini eggplant pizzas?! Great idea – thank you!