This week's healthy recipe: the burger



The Burger King Whopper provides

670 calories

51g carbs

40g fat

28g protein

Source: http://www.bk.com/en/us/menu-nutrition/index.html

In truth, we all know that burgers from fast food restaurants aren't good for us. Perhaps many of us don't realise quite how unhealthy they really are though: a McDonalds Big Mac, for example, contains 540 calories and 29g of fat, while a Burger King Whopper notches up 670 calories and a worrying 40g of fat. And that's before the portion of fries and sugary drink have come into the equation.

Unless it is the extremely lean variety (unlikely to be used in a burger) minced beef contains high levels of cholesterol and saturated fat, both of which are strongly linked to heart disease. Recent research suggests that people who eat red meat frequently are more likely to suffer from colon cancer; this is particularly relevant for those of us living in the UAE, where consumption levels are high.

The recipe below is tasty enough to satisfy burger cravings, yet doesn't resort to using beef. This lentil and carrot based option is hearty and filling, with a hint of spice and a wholesome, nutty texture. Lentils are a fantastic healthy food; they are relatively cheap, high in protein, low in fat and are a good source of vitamins and minerals. These burgers are cooked in a minimal amount of oil and are filling enough to be eaten on their own, without a bun. If you need a bit of bread with your burger though, opt for the wholemeal variety. Pile high with tomatoes, onion, avocado, lettuce and the like, but avoid slathering on the mayo or adding a slice of cheese.

Healthier burger

175g brown or green lentils

2 tsp groundnut oil

3 carrots, peeled and coarsely grated

2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped

11/2 teaspoons ground cumin

11/2 teaspoons ground coriander

1/2 onion, peeled and chopped

50g walnuts, roughly chopped

1 egg

75g wholemeal breadcrumbs

Place the lentils in a pan and cover with water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 25-30 minutes until tender. Drain.

Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a frying pan. Add the carrots and garlic and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the carrot is soft and slightly golden. Sprinkle over the cumin and coriander and cook for a further 2-3 minutes.

Tip the cooked lentils into a food processor, add the onion and walnuts and blend to a course puree.

In a large bowl lightly whisk the egg, then add the lentil mixture, followed by the breadcrumbs. Stir well to combine and season with salt and black pepper.

Using slightly damp hands, shape the mixture into four round patties, about 5cm thick. Put in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.

Place a non stick frying pan over a medium heat. Lightly brush both sides of the burgers with the remaining oil and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side, before serving with healthy accompaniments.

Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

Profile of MoneyFellows

Founder: Ahmed Wadi

Launched: 2016

Employees: 76

Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)

Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

The bio

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school

Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people

Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned

Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates

The%20specs
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
US tops drug cost charts

The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.

Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.

In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.

Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol. 

The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.

High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.

Election pledges on migration

CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections" 

SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom" 

Tuesday's fixtures
Group A
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Iran v Uzbekistan, 8pm
N Korea v UAE, 10.15pm
Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills