Looking for a tasty, healthy variation of a beef or turkey burger? Skip those processed veggie burgers and go for this all-natural alternative, the portobello. A portobello mushroom smothered with reduced-fat blue cheese crumbles is just as healthy as it is mouthwatering, and it is hearty enough to serve to even a meat lover.

　　

Ingredients

makes 1 serving

　　1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

　　1/4 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

　　Salt and pepper, to taste

　　1 medium portobello mushroom cap

　　3/4 ounce (about 3 tablespoons) crumbled reduced-fat blue cheese (I used Treasure Cave)

　　1 (about 3 1/2-inch-diameter) whole-wheat or whole-grain hamburger bun

　　1 small leaf green lettuce (any variety)

　　1 very thin slice of onion

　　2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (optional)

　　

Step 1

Preheat a grill to medium heat.

　　

Step 2

In a small, shallow bowl, using a fork, whisk the Worcestershire, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well combined.

　　

Step 3

Using a damp paper towel, clean the mushroom to remove any visible dirt. Then brush the Worcestershire mixture evenly over both sides. Grill it, beginning gills-side down, away from direct flame until tender, 3 to 5 minutes per side. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, top the gills evenly with the blue cheese to melt it, and toast the bun by placing the bunhalves, insides face down, on a top grill rack or away from the flame for about 30 seconds.

　　

Step 4

Place the bun bottom on a small plate. Top it with the mushroom, followed by the lettuce, then the onion. Spread the inside of the bun top with mustard, if desired, and top the burger. Serve immediately.

　　

nutrition information

Step 5

Calories: 224

　　

Step 6

Protein: 12g

　　

Step 7

Carbohydrates: 29g

　　

Step 8

Fat: 7g

　　

Step 9

Saturated Fat: 3g

　　

Step 10

Cholesterol: 11mg

　　

Step 11

Fiber: 5g

　　

Step 12

Sodium: 562mg

　　Reprinted with permission from I Can't Believe It's Not Fattening! by Devin Alexander. Copyright © 2010 Devin Alexander. Published by Clarkson Potter Publishers, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.Devin Alexander is the author of The Most Decadent Diet Ever, Fast Food Fix, and coauthor of The New York Times bestsellers The Biggest Loser Cookbook and The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook. She was a chef on NBC's The Biggest Loser and the host of Healthy Decadence on Discover Health and FitTV.