* TOMATOES Juicy, sweet and an emblem of summer, tomatoes also make flavorful—albeit messy—substitutions for a traditional bun. This recipe from The Iron You calls for pan searing seedless tomato halves until slightly browned, a process that firms up the fruit and adds a touch of caramelized flavor. Cut the tomatoes in half horizontally. With the handle-end of a spoon or a fork, scoop out the seeds and seeds membrane. Set aside. Lightly grease with olive oil a medium non-stick pan/skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Cook halved tomatoes face down for 2 to 3 minutes, until they begin to brown. Flip and cook for 20 seconds on the other side so that they get a bit of color.
* MUSHROOMS Specifically, large portobello mushroom caps, which are large and sturdy enough to enclose a burger with all the fixins—they also mimic the texture of a bun pretty well. Mushrooms are often a substitute for the meat-free set and they work equally well as an alternative to bread if you're looking to cut carbs or have a sensitivity to gluten. Clean mushroom caps with a damp cloth to remove any dirt and cut off the woody stem. Drizzle each cap with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill on each side for 3-5 minutes or until tender.
* EGGPLANT When grilled, eggplant softens and develops a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. Cut thick rounds of the veggie, season with salt, pepper, olive oil and garlic powder and grill until it develops nice char marks. Since eggplant has a tendency to get a little mushy, top your burger with raw onion, crunchy bacon and lots of crisp lettuce to give it some texture.
* BACON Instead of settling for a few measly strips atop your burger why not put the good stuff front and center. It takes a bit of artistry, but the bacon weave from Epic Meal Time tastes delicious and makes a statement about your commitment to extreme burgers. You're essentially weaving together bacon strips, baking off the resulting creation in the oven until just shy of well done, then cutting into squares. Bottom line: bacon.
(Number 5 was noodlized sweet potatoes fried into a bun, but it's not low-carb enough to bother.)
source: http://gothamist.com/2013/08/27/burger_bun_alternatives.php
tags: low-carb