Burger of the Month--Egg and Swiss Ham Burger

One very difficult thing for a lot of people who are trying to cut carbs is to give up hamburgers.  However, it is not necessary!  Once I month I will post a bunless burger that we have tried in our home.  Some burgers will be completely made up by us, and other burgers will be inspired by a burger-with-a-bun relative.  We start the Burger of the Month with a "traditional" burger.  Meaning that the hamburger actually has ham on it. 

One very important thing to remember when cooking a bunless burger is don't skimp on the size of the patty.  You do not have a bun getting in the way and making you full quicker so you can go a little (or a lot) larger with the patty.  So without further ado......

Egg and Swiss Ham Burger
1.5-2 lbs of lean ground beef
8 thin cut slices of deli ham
4 eggs
4 Swiss cheese
salt
pepper
hot sauce

Simplicity is key here.  Mix the ground beef with the salt and pepper and form into 4 patties.  Grill patties on the barbecue for about 4 minutes per side, or until the juices run clear.  In the mean time cook the 4 eggs "hard" sunny-side up style.  What I mean by this is to cook them sunny-side up except add a little water when they are about half cooked and cover so that the entire egg cooks and the yolk is soft but not runny.  Leaving the patties on the grill, top with 2 slices of ham per patty.  Depending on preference, top the ham with a slice of cheese and then a cooked egg, or a cooked egg and then a slice of cheese.  Leave on the grill until the cheese melts.  Serve topped with hot sauce.

And soon you will have a few hearty burgers:

Normally we would each eat two patties.  However this time, with a bigger patty and the extra protein, both could only eat one along with the vegetables on the side.  These are very tasty burgers, but they will fill you up quick so don't let your eyes try to fool your stomach.  My only recommendation is to make sure it is topped with a condiment.  If you do not like hot sauce, try substituting a low carb ketchup or some brown mustard.