It's a cheeseburger that's good for you because it's a salad!

I mean, salad is ok, but it's not very filling. Cheeseburgers are good, but they're not very healthy. What's a person to do?! The answer, once considered, is obvious. Marry the best of both worlds with this ultimate cheeseburger salad - the best thing to happen to salad since croutons and Baco-s* bacon bits.

This recipe came about as a result of creating the Hamburger guide. I was joking with Randofo about what I could contribute to it, and decided on a cheeseburger salad. Not a salad with cheese and hamburger, a la taco salad, but a salad with tiny islands of crouton-like cheeeburgers.

I did not know Rachel Ray had done it first. She is obviously a genius, and I'm pleased that we have the same ideas about food. But there's nothing as frustrating as finding out your idea was scooped. . . two years before you thought of it.

My recipe was only slightly different, but this is my Instructable, so you're getting that one, and I hope you enjoy the technique pictures that Rachel Ray obviously does not love you enough to provide.

*Bacon bits would take this salad to the extreme, and I can't believe I didn't think about it until now. Bacon Cheeseburger Salad, please. Yes, thank you.

Step 1: Ingredients

Pretty much you want to make your favorite hamburger recipe, add your favorite cheese, and then make up your favorite salad. A mustard vinaigrette far outshines a ketchup one, trust me. Honey mustard is my preference.

My favorite cheeseburgers are made with:

1 lb minced beef
1/2 small chopped onion
Worcestershire or steak sauce to taste
Steak seasoning (or salt & pepper) to taste + a dash (I always like more than I think I will)
CHEESE! I used a sharp Irish cheddar

OR

1 lb beef
1/2 packet onion soup mix (yum!!)

the last recipe is like my favorite meatloaf but without the ketchup and breadcrumbs

My salad consisted of:

Chopped Romaine lettuce
Tiny tomatoes
Chopped yellow pepper
Pickles, cause I love burgers with pickles!

I looked up a mustard vinaigrette which went a little something like this:

1/4 cup mustard (I prefer honey mustard)
3T vinegar - I used apple cider for its mellow sweetness, but balsamic would be a good choice too
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper

This recipe would also taste great with French or Catalina dressing!

Step 2: Make Tiny Burger Patties

Assemble the ingredients of your favorite hamburger.

Shape burger into tiny balls and flatten them.

Wasn't that fun and easy?!

Step 3: Fry Into Tiny Cheeseburgers

Preheat a pan over med-high heat.

Fry those little guys for about 3 min. per side. Don't skimp here unless you love rare burgers. Then skimp.

Slice your cheese into tiny-cheeseburger-sized pieces, and apply to tiny burgers.

Put a lid on your pan to help them get nice and melty.

Once cooked, drain those babies on some paper towel or your salad will get gree-see!

Step 4: Make Salad

Chop up your salad ingredients and assemble.

I like to to rough chop my lettuce into manageable pieces - not too small, not more than a mouthful.

Then I top the bowl of lettuce with the heavier items which could otherwise get lost altogether - sliced tomatoes, peppers, and pickles.

Sliced onion would be great too if you're someone who likes raw onion on your burger. You'll have plenty left from making the beef patties!

Step 5: Make Salad Dressing

I like to keep around empty bottles for making homemade dressing.

Mix together your ingredients and shake shake shake!

(A funnel will greatly assist in this step if you're using a small-mouthed vessel)

Step 6: Behold the Marvel of Cheeseburger Salad

Top your beautiful salad with your glorious islands of cheeseburger croutons.

Drizzle heavily with dressing - this is no time to go light on the dressing! I mean, there are cheeseburgers in your salad!

This makes an impressive party salad, and is fun to assemble into perfect bites on your fork. Or go total picnic-style and eat this salad with your grubby little hands. Greazy fun for everyone!