Sour Cherry Popsicles
Three siblings, the oldest not being over twelve, live across the street from me. I know their names by heart because I frequently hear their mom or dad yelling at them from the stoop. “I’m counting to three, and you guys had better be ready!” Dad yells every morning. “Stop pushing your little sister and hurry up!” is Mom’s constant refrain in the evenings. I can’t really imagine their life beyond these snapshots, so in my mind, they’re in a constant state of being scolded.
Life’s tough for a kid, you know? The fetters of childhood, with its enforced bedtimes, endless rules, constant nagging, can really wear away at a person after awhile. My mom excelled at telling my sister and me what to do, and we’d wear her rules like chain mail (protective but heavy as hell). I especially remember wishing I could eat sweets whenever I wanted. I wished it fiercely actually. But chocolate bars were pretty much out of the question except around Halloween and Valentine’s Day, cake was sequestered to birthdays, and ice cream was a summer afternoon activity only.
Then I went away to college, where I spent a majority of my first year’s meal points on the junkiest food I could get my hands on. Freshman Fifteen is not a myth people. I got a little tubby. I went home that summer and walked it all off, vowing to myself that I’d never practice such hedonism ever again. Some lessons have to be learned the hard way.
Now that I’m a mature adult, I’ve finally got a handle on my mom’s perspective. Kids should not be able to do whatever they want. Rules are there for a reason. Imagine if the kids across the street had no parents to stop them from being late for school or bullying their little sister! Imagine if I’d allowed my sweet tooth to run rampant! It’s a funny thing when your thinking switches gears and you start weighing consequences and repercussions, practicing moderation.
I’m pretty sure I would’ve loved these popsicles as a kid, but the beauty of them is that they’re made almost completely from real fruit. What kind of treat works out so perfectly like that? They’re able to be enjoyed guilt-free by both children and adults like.
I have to confess, I didn’t think much of sour cherries when I first saw them. They’re soft and small, the runt of the cherry family. And their color, averaging around fire engine red, screams under-ripe. In short, they go against my every intuition as a cook and as an eater. But temper them with a bit of sugar, and the flavor pops. It’s distinctively cherry, but with undertones of warm spices. I can see why they’re beloved by pie- and jam-makers alike.
Be warned though: sour cherries live the shortest of lives. They blink in and out of existence in a matter of weeks. Our season’s over already, but perhaps you can still find them in your markets? If not, save this recipe for next year because it’s incredibly easy and indulgent. In a good way.
I wanted to end this post with a bit of a catch-up, as it’s just now hitting me how long it’s been since my last post. This summer has whizzed by in its customary manner, hasn’t it?
I guess the biggest announcement I should make—although it’s terribly overdue—is that my blog turned two! In June! I’m horrible at this sentimental stuff, but suffice it to say, this sweet little space means so very much to me. It’s taken on a life of its own, and in the process, exposed me to the whole exhilarating world of food blogging. Thank you for hanging in there, dear readers!
Likewise, the opportunities that have come my way have been kind of mind-boggling. The most recent is just a little too much: I shot my first cookbook! And not my own! It’ll come out next spring, a book all about healthy (and delicious!) smoothies. I don’t want to say too much about it, but thank you to those who made it possible! My heart overflows with appreciation.
And finally, the people I’ve met! This summer has consisted of a string of blogger meetings (good food always the backdrop). And the people behind some of my favorite blogs are just as wonderful as I imagined, which I already knew in my heart to be true, because how could you not share your very essence when pouring all your patience and love into a task as all-consuming as blogging? I can now call them real-life friends. Thank you, lovely people you! I hope I get the chance to meet many more of you in the future (Brianne, I’m lookin’ at you especially)!
SOUR CHERRY POPSICLES
Makes 8 1/3-cup size popsicles
Ingredients:
2/3 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
3 cups pitted sour cherries (a little over a pound of whole cherries)
Directions:
Make a simple syrup by cooking the sugar and water in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves, stirring a few times. Turn off the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
Process the cherries in a food processor or with an immersion blender until completely blended. You should have about 2 cups of blended cherries. Stir in the cooled simple syrup. Pour the mix into popsicle molds (I use this guy) and slip the popsicles into the freezer until frozen, about 4 hours.
To remove, let the mold rest on the counter for a few minutes. Alternatively, run the mold under lukewarm water for about 20 seconds. They should slip out with a tug.
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Are Burgers Healthy? 6 Tips to Turn Burgers Healthier
Everyone, more or less, loves to binge on burgers. The blast of amazing flavors and juicy meat make it a favorite snack choice.
But the real question is: Are burgers healthy?
No, burgers are not healthy. Especially when we are having it from fast food restaurants. They are usually loaded with extra cheese and sauce. Not to forget the huge bun. Definitely not a balanced, nutritious meal. However, you can make your own healthy burgers by simply bringing some modifications.
Still unsure? Well, do not sweat! Because here I am gonna clear all the queries and confusion you might have. Plus, I will be providing how to make a healthy burger on your own.
Read on!
The Problems With Burgers
Let’s be clear about one thing: burgers aren’t usually healthy.
Burgers are stuffed with extra cheese and special sauce and served on a huge bun. These aren’t exactly the ideal example of a balanced, nutrient-dense meal.
Especially when they are served by a fast-food restaurant.
The typical patty contains roughly 25 grams of fat. And 10 of which are saturated, from the cuts of beef, used.
A Big Mac burger has 494 calories, of which its fat content is responsible for half.
Additionally, one serving of sauce on a burger contains about 10 grams of sugar. Which is higher than the typical chocolate chip cookie.
The majority of burger toppings, like tomato sauce and barbeque, contain at least 25 percent sugar.
The buns come next. Refined white flour, which has minimal nutritional value and immediately raises blood sugar levels.
A burger is almost as unhealthy as eating a large piece of cake when it comes to high-fat meat and high-sugar sauce.
Related Post: Is Mac and Cheese Healthy? Calories, Nutrition, and a Awesome Recipe
What Happens When You Eat Burgers?
According to science, eating junk food even occasionally can be harmful to your health. Because it is bombed in fat, calories, as well as sodium.
One single hamburger, for instance, contains 500 Cal. Along with the fat of 25 grams and 40 grams of carbs.
Also, it contains 10 grams of sugar and 1,000 milligrams of sodium. All of these might be damaging to your health.
After taking your first bite of a burger, you will see a significant spike in glucose after 15 minutes.
As an outcome, insulin is discharged. And it provokes you to become hungry again shortly after.
The chance of developing diabetes can rise if this practice is continued. According to science, eating too many calories at once causes oxidative stress in the cells.
Consuming a meal high in saturated fat might be detrimental to your health.
It was shown that a group of healthy men’s arteries was severely damaged. And also didn’t dilate after they depleted foods high in saturated fat.
Later in adulthood, heart illness may result from this blood flow limitation.
The blood vessel may suffer because of the excessive sodium content.
Hence, the next time you’re dying to have a burger, you gotta resist the impulse!
Related Post: Are Crackers Healthy? Should you avoid or eat crackers
How to Prepare a Healthy Burger
This is for when you are gonna attempt to eat healthily. Burgers do not necessarily have to be totally off-limits.
In fact, research demonstrates that red meat may be a fantastic source of high-quality protein. Plus, vital elements such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12 are there. But only when incorporated into a wholesome, varied diet.
Besides, poultry, for example, chicken as well as turkey, maybe one outstanding addition to nutrition.
Then where is it going wrong, exactly?
The answer would be the big bun, fatty toppings, as well as the size of your patties.
Burgers happen to be generally a fast food that is reserved for your cheat days.
However, handmade ones are actually flavorsome and nutritious.
Related Post: Are Fish Sticks Healthy – 10 Healthy And Unhealthy Facts
Keep It Juicy And Trim the Fat Off
Reduce the saturated fat content in burgers by selecting lean meat. Such as ground beef, turkey, or chicken.
Lean food, as per USDA, is illustrated as containing lower than 11 grams of fat. Plus, the saturated fat content is about 4.5 grams.
Less than about 2 g of saturated fat per 100 grams is deemed extra lean.
In order to quickly narrow down your choices when meat shopping, aim for cuts that are between 90 and 95 percent lean.
Just remember that while leaner alternatives reduce fat and calories, they can also make your burger dreadfully dry.
Also, When you are gonna shape those patties, handle the meat as little as you can. This will make the thing as juicy as possible.
Avoid pushing the burgers with a spatula after they are on the grill or in the skillet as this can cause them to release more juice.
Trim the Meat
Even while lean meat isn’t bad in moderation, handmade burgers are a terrific way to sneak in lots of vegetables. Even if the burger isn’t vegetarian.
In addition to adding delicious flavors, chopped mushrooms, green onions, and carrots. Plus, the shredded sweet potatoes, carrots, and zucchini give the burger some extra fluids.
Try black beans, lentils, quinoa, or rice. Grains, beans, and pulses can also appear.
Before making your patties, put in these components into that raw meat mix. Cook the patties as usual afterward.
Add a Healthy Binding Agent
The most widely used ingredient for binding ground meat is bread crumbs. But I suggest that you can use oats instead because they are high in fiber.
For every pound (lb) of ground beef, use 14 cups of oats.
You can use chia seeds as a binder instead. As they work really nicely as a binder. And also contribute important fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
To make chia seeds into a binder, combine them with water.
Mix about 2 tbsp of water with 1 tbsp of chia seeds. After that, you can utilize your chia seeds. Also, it is integral to let the seeds soak in the water.
At least for about ten minutes. Soak it in the water, they take a little while to gelatinize.
I recommend flax “egg” as a third choice, which also has fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
Use 3 tbsp of lukewarm water with 1 tbsp of powdered flaxseed.
The flax egg should stay for a few minutes. It is gonna gelatinize this way. Then it can be utilized as your binder.
Spice Your Burger Up
In addition to adding a ton of flavor to burgers, spices, and herbs. Also include antioxidant substances like polyphenols.
Some of the highest quantities are found in oregano, thyme, sage, rosemary, and saffron. Particularly, when they’re dried.
Before you fry those patties, you need to stir a few of those dried spices. Incorporate them into that meat or vegetable mix.
Add fresh or chopped herbs to the top of your burger just before serving it to give it a little more flavor.
Size It Properly
Have you ever had a burger that was almost as big as your face at a restaurant?
It could seem like a fun challenge to finish it all, but if you do, you’ll probably end up in a major food coma.
You can regulate the patty size to something more acceptable and nutritious while creating burgers at home.
A 4-ounce protein patty, about the size of a deck of cards, constitutes one serving; during cooking, the burger should reduce to about three ounces.
Make judicious topping selections.
The simplest way to ruin a healthy burger is to cover it with a heavy coating of fattening, sugary, and salty toppings.
Salsa is a way more nutritious substitute for sweet ketchup. Or you could consider preparing your own.
And instead of mayo, choose guacamole for a little richness. Put as much fresh or grilled vegetables as you can on top of the burger. That can include tomatoes, peppers, onions, greens, and mushrooms.
You won’t miss that enigmatic unique sauce mixture with all the flavor and texture this offers.
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Think Alternatives to the Bun
While avoiding the bun altogether (going bare) is always an option. There are other healthy options that offer a more genuine burger-eating experience.
Consider low-carb alternatives like cloud bread. Two slices only have 94 calories and 9 grams of protein, plus it’s simple to cook.
Alternatively, you may place your burger between two large portobello mushroom caps, rounds of sweet potato or eggplant, or lettuce leaves.
So, there you go! That is how you can make a healthy burger all by yourself!
FAQs
Are hamburgers really unhealthy?
Yes, consuming junk food even sometimes is gonna be harmful to health. The reason is the increased sodium, calories, and fat. One hamburger, for instance, retains 500 cal, g of fat. Plus 40 gms of carbs, 10 grams of sugar, and mg of sodium. All of these might be harmful to health.
Do burgers increase weight?
Yes, Burgers can be heavy in calories. And in case you consume more calories than you burn, you are gonna gain weight. A hamburger and mayonnaise contain about 942 calories. If you order it along with a regular soft drink, your meal may be even higher in calories.
How much fast food can I eat?
Eating fast food very frequently is tied to an elevated risk of obesity. As per the various studies done on junk food intake. If you consume it more often than 2 times a week, you are at a higher risk of metabolic syndrome. Also, you might suffer from type 2 diabetes, as well as coronary heart disease.
Wrapping Up
Hope I have cleared your question about are burgers healthy?
Now you know the answer. So, if you want to eat healthily, I suggest cutting down on burgers a little. Particularly the ones from local fast food eateries. And consider making a healthier burger following the instructions I provided.
That is it for today. Remain healthy!
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