HG's Black Bean Burger Bonanza

Just because a burger is free of meat, that doesn't mean it's a smart pick in terms of calories and fat. (You know this, right?) Luckily, we gave this tempting veggie burger an HG makeover -- and it's GREAT! Try it...

Ingredients:
One 100-calorie flat sandwich bun (like Arnold Select/Brownberry/Oroweat Sandwich Thins)
1/2 romaine lettuce leaf
1 slice tomato
1/2 tbsp. fat-free mayonnaise
1/2 tsp. chipotle pepper sauce (like the kind by Tabasco)
1/2 cup thinly sliced onion cut into 2-inch strips
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1 frozen meatless black bean burger patty with about 120 calories (like the kind by MorningStar Farms, Amy's, or Gardenburger)
1 slice fat-free cheddar cheese
1 oz. sliced avocado (about 1/4 avocado)
Optional: hamburger dill pickle chips

Directions:
Split bun into halves. Top the bottom half with lettuce, tomato and, if you like, pickle chips.

In a small bowl, mix mayo with hot sauce.

Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat. Cook and stir onion until softened, 4 - 6 minutes.

While still in the skillet, carefully drizzle onion with vinegar. Cook and stir until onion is evenly coated.

Transfer to a medium bowl, and cover to keep warm.

If needed, clean skillet. Remove from heat, re-spray, and return to medium heat. Cook patty for about 4 minutes per side, until cooked through.

While still in the skillet, top patty with cheese. Cook until cheese has melted, about 1 minute.

Place cheese-topped patty over the tomato on the bottom bun half. Top with cooked onion and avocado.

Spread the top bun half with mayo mixture, and place it over the stack. Now CHEW!

MAKES 1 SERVING

T.G.I. Friday's Sedona Black Bean Burger

This burger sounds good but, let's be real, it has PROBLEMS. One of the biggest? The fact that it's loaded with SO MUCH stuff! Like a hoarder, this burger pretty much stashes every item it has ever encountered under the top half of its bun! On top of the already flavorful black bean patty, there are two kinds of cheese, balsamic onions, avocado, chipotle mayo, pickles, and more! With so many toppings, you can't even taste and appreciate 'em all... Bottom line: There's too much going on. Need more proof? Look at the numbers. These crazy stats (49g fat!) don't even include the side of fries the burger comes with. So we got to work on this thing. We went with one type of (guilt-free) cheese, whipped up a creamy low-calorie sauce with just enough spice, used a slimmed-down sandwich bun, and kept the pickles optional (to save a little sodium). All flavor, no problem. Just chew it!