Just can't keep my food regions straight...

German Turkey Burger and Texas Cheese Fries

One of the best burgers we have ever created is our German Pretzel Burger, and after picking up some pretzel buns at Meijer, I was in the mood to have it again, but in a lighter, Weight Watcher's friendly way.  I had turkey burgers in the freezer and decided to season them for a brat-like flavor.  I swapped the cheddar for a low fat Swiss, and the regular bacon for turkey.  Some sauerkraut and a healthy smear of grainy mustard and we were set.  I must add that the smell of the burgers cooking in my George Foreman grill was so tantalizing with the coriander and all.  A note on the brat seasoning-  I'm claiming no authenticity for this blend, it is what I had in the spice drawer that sounded good for this.

But what to have with the burgers.  I didn't see a WW friendly way to make my German Potato Salad WW friendly because it is so dependent upon bacon fat for flavor, so I turned to one of my regular reads, Skinnytaste, for inspiration.  Well, to cut to the chase, Ben saw the picture for Gina's Skinny Texas Cheese Fries and decided on our side.  So much for pairing foods from the same or similar region.  These were easy to make and delicious, we will certainly be having these again.

German Pretzel Turkey Burger

Seasoning for four burgers:
4 4oz. prepared, plain turkey burgers (I used Jennie O)
1 tbsp caraway seeds, coarsely ground (I used a mortar and pestle)
1 tsp each coarse salt and fresh ground black pepper
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp each ground allspice, coriander, and marjoram

For each burger:
1 pretzel bun (or another type if preferred)
1 slice (1oz) low fat Swiss cheese
2 slices turkey bacon, cooked crisp
1/3 (or more) sauerkraut, squeezed dry
coarse grain mustard, to taste

Mix together the seasoning ingredients; season both sides of the four burgers, using all the seasoning and pressing it in with your fingers.  Cook however you prefer- I find the prepared patties to be fragile, so I use my George Foreman grill.  Construct your burger using the remaining ingredients and enjoy.

WW PointsPlus Value:  The burger as constructed is 14 points.  Half of these points come from the pretzel bun, so a smaller/lower carb bun would reduce the point value.

Skinny Texas Cheese Fries

2 medium potatoes (2/3 lb total), Yukon gold or russet, unpeeled
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp each chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin
coarse salt and fresh cracked pepper
2 slices center cut bacon, cooked and chopped
1/3 cup reduced fat Mexi blend cheese (I used Sargento)
2 tbsp sliced scallions
sliced pickled jalapeños

Preheat the oven to 400°. Line baking sheet with foil for easy clean-up; lightly coat with cooking spray.  Cut each potato lengthwise into 1/4 inch thin slices; then cut each slice into 1/4 inch fries.
In a large bowl, combine cut potatoes and oil; toss well. Add seasonings and toss again to coat. 
Place potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes or until tender crisp, turning once half way through (depending on thickness this may require more or less time). 
Remove from oven, place fries into two small oven safe dishes (or one large dish for sharing), top with cheese, sliced jalapenos, scallions and bacon bits; return to oven until the cheese melts.

WW PointsPlus Value:  7 points per serving