Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I hate the thought of using just lettuce leaves in place of the bun... is that the usual strategy? Or is there some bun-like substance that I could buy at the supermarket or some specialty store? Or a quick recipe that I could make at home? Something with almond flour, I'd guess?

I'm hoping to find something that I could buy, since I don't cook that much, but it might be worth it to prepare something for special occasions.

edited May 16 2010 at 13:13

Ed♦
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asked May 15 2010 at 17:34

Marina
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I'll add this here since it's not really an answer to your question. I've found that I need to learn to cook my own food. I recognize that my dependence on buying food pre-made contributed to my long-term-though-departing corpulent condition. This morning, on Facebook, I wrote "I need to stop buying food. I need to start buying ingredients and making food." I need to tattoo that backwards on my forehead! – ScottMGS May 16 2010 at 3:00

Very true, and def something to strive for, but sometimes it is hard to find the time. I also have the added challenge of limited kitchen privileges in my current housing situation. – Marina May 16 2010 at 15:17

Aaron · Answer 1 · 2010-05-15 18:01:03Z UTC

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I like to make burgers with the "SoG Coconut Griddle Cakes" as buns. I add some spices - garlic - whatever you like to balance the coconut flavor out. There's a lot you can do with them. You could also probably mix almond-flour in to replace some coconut.

I made burgers with these, bacon, onion, and jalapenos last week. Delicious!

http://www.sonofgrok.com/2009/03/the-mcsog-breakfast-sandwich/

answered May 15 2010 at 18:01

Aaron
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	These look great! A definite must have! – ertai May 15 2010 at 18:42
	Thanks Aaron, sounds simple enough for even a reluctant, novice cook like me... and I also saw the zucchini version on your site, which seems even better, since I have a hard time thinking of coconut and burger together... – Marina May 15 2010 at 18:44
	Marina - the site isn't mine. That's a blog I found and I liked his recipes. – Aaron May 17 2010 at 0:18

Ed · Answer 2 · 2010-05-15 19:57:16Z UTC

Richard Nikoley recently posted about eating burgers "double down" style, with two burgers on the outside and the fixins in the middle. Then wrap the whole thing in paper. Link: http://freetheanimal.com/2010/05/if-its-good-enough-for-meatza-its-good-enough-for-a-double-down-burger.html

Kevin Thom · Answer 3 · 2010-05-15 18:10:09Z UTC

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I often use lettuce leaves. They work quite well actually. A rugged lettuce like romaine often fares better than softer leaf lettuce. The only problem is that lettuce is non-absorbent, so be prepared for juices to be dripping down your arm as you eat your burger. Sometimes a fork and knife is a good strategy for preventing wardrobe disasters. :)

answered May 15 2010 at 18:10

Kevin Thom
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I can see how lettuce leaves would work, and, don't get me wrong, I love lettuce and sometimes eat it all by itself. But I guess I was hoping for something bread-like. I'm one of those unfortunate people who adores bread and bread products like bagels and burger buns, and I didn't want to feel deprived of the full burger experience (as I've come to know it from childhood). – Marina May 15 2010 at 18:50

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Ahh yes, I used to get those cravings too. After a while, however, I began to associate bread with the sugar crashes, bloating, and other stuff that come afterward... those were things I used to think were normal. Now, the idea of bread is mostly unappealing to me, and it's easy enough to pass up. Thinking about home-made burgers wrapped in lettuce makes me drool though! The cool balance of the lettuce countering the heat of the burger is really great. – Kevin Thom May 19 2010 at 5:33

Vivian · Answer 4 · 2010-05-15 18:36:57Z UTC

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Huge portobello mushrooms top and bottom make great burger transporters.

answered May 15 2010 at 18:36

Vivian
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Thanks Annika and Vivian - I'd have to cook the mushrooms first, right? I am curious about what that sort of burger would taste like. – Marina May 15 2010 at 18:46

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If you cook them they get very juicy. I've done this and it's better raw. – Aaron May 17 2010 at 2:11

LinearChaos · Answer 5 · 2010-05-15 18:42:35Z UTC

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Oopsies! http://cleochatra.blogspot.com/2009/05/gluten-free-low-carb-buns-aka-oopsie.html

answered May 15 2010 at 18:42

LinearChaos
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Looks great, thank you! I just wish these were available at stores, since I cook so rarely. – Marina May 15 2010 at 19:20

Blue -the Thrifty Mom · Answer 6 · 2010-05-15 22:30:52Z UTC

Great Cthulhu! i can't even imagine a bun now, lol.

I make big ol' beef patties, toss 'em on a plate, smother with cheese, chili, shredded lettuce, mustard and grab a fork and go to town! I've even divorced my husband and 5 children from the notion of buns. We have both hamburgers and hotdogs as slabs of meat with fixins piled on top!

If I were you, I'd abandon the concept of "burgers on buns" and enjoy what has always been the VERY BEST of a burger anyway: The middle. :D

GiGiEats · Answer 7 · 2010-06-22 23:20:29Z UTC

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Grilled Eggplant slices! :) A little messy but worth it because it's very good!

answered Jun 22 2010 at 23:20

GiGiEats
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Finn · Answer 8 · 2010-05-15 18:01:44Z UTC

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I use egg whites. I had a meringue failure a few weeks ago and it came out like a thick peta bread. Just whip a bunch of egg whites and bake it at 350 for 25/30 minutes and let it sit out and deflate. Little eggy tasting but the texture it pretty good. It's an idea anyway :P

answered May 15 2010 at 18:01

Finn
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	I love(d) pita bread! Will def have to try this at some point, once I psych myself up to cooking something that takes more than a quarter hour... – Marina May 15 2010 at 18:52
	Egg whites are amazing!!! It's incredible how versatile they are! – GiGiEats Jun 22 2010 at 23:21

Annika · Answer 9 · 2010-05-15 18:34:39Z UTC

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I've heard of people using portabella mushrooms as buns, but haven't tried it myself. I just use a fork.

answered May 15 2010 at 18:34

Annika
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I just bought some for this purpose - but I don't know if I'll like it. A fork works for me! – Dave S. Dec 2 2010 at 17:32

Bruno · Answer 10 · 2010-12-02 16:42:53Z UTC

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I surround my burger pattie in other burger patties. TRIPLE DOWN!

answered Dec 2 2010 at 16:42

Bruno
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gilliebean · Answer 11 · 2010-05-15 19:58:32Z UTC

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When I want a bun, I sometimes use the almond-flour pancake recipe found here.

answered May 15 2010 at 19:58

gilliebean♦
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Do you include the agave nectar that the recipe calls for, or use something else instead? I thought that agave nectar wasn't a "paleo-approved" food. Is it really better than sugar? – Marina May 18 2010 at 1:49

Oh golly! I avoid agave. I usually mention that I either leave it out or use stevia (to taste). Sorry that I forgot to mention that! – gilliebean♦ May 18 2010 at 1:55

Burger Bun Substitute

11 Answers